A GERMAN BUST.

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 March 1910, Page 4

A GERMAN BUST.

A VERY HAD TAKE IN. . [PER I'MKSS ASSOCIATIOK —COPTWGHT.] Received this day at 8.40 a.m. BERLIN. March 17. An analysis has been made uf the wax composing the Flora bust which Dr. YV. Hade (director of the Berlin Ait Gallery) purchased in England for a large price, attributing it to Leonardo de Vinci, the famous sixteenth century artist. This analysis show* thai it consists of lac spermaceti and beeswax the same composition as the artist K. C. Lucas was in the habit of using. It is thought that, the bust is probably one by Lucas as spermaceti was unknown before 1700. LONDON. March 17.

The Tillies of October 23rd last described the bust and the Southampton auctioneer who handled it. In a subse quent letter, the same paper states ilia: l>. Lucas brought to an Association ait dealer named Buchanan. who bought him the ivputcd picture by Vinci. This picture was copied in oils bv Albert Dun-i Lucas, son of R. (.'. Lucas. Buchanan asked R. C. Lucas if li collld luptodllce the subject of the picture in the form of a wax bust as there would be a good market for ii. .\L- Lucas undertook the commissi, .ii which was duly completed Subsequently Buchanan was unable to cany out. his share of the bargin. but took away the Vinci picture, leaving the bust in the hands of an artist.