RESTORED OLD MASTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20364, 19 September 1929, Page 12

RESTORED OLD MASTER.

SUBJECT OF COURT CLA'M

ACTION BROUGHT BY ARTIST.

LACK OF SKILL ALLEGED.

[r:r xn.ECP.APif.—press association*.] CHKIBTCHURCH. Wednosdsy.

An old master, entitled the Feast of Rebhazzar, painted by Palma Yecchio early in the sixteenth century, was much discussed in the Supreme Court to day in a claim before Mr. Justice Kennedy. William Ilenry Stitches, defendant in the action, said he purchased the old canvas at a sale in London many years ago for £3. He worked on it at intervals for 20 years until he discovered a monogram on it, which showed the picture to be of great value. He eventually sold the picture to Dr. J. C. Pairman, of Christchurch, for 150Qgns. A claim was made by William Sidney Smith, artist, of Christchurch, for £157 10s, for restoring the picture. It was alleged by him, and on his behalf, that ho had done a great deal of work in restoring and retouching parts of the painting.

For defendant it was alleged that the canvas was handed to Smith for the repair of a small rent in a corner of the canvas and that much of the work of restoration, especially the retouching, was unskilfully done and had actually depreciated the value of the painting. Dr. Pairman said all Smith's work, even the repair of the rent, would have to be undone, and that it was therefore of no value.

Defendant and other witnesses said Smith had agreed to make no charge for the work. Defendant also stated that Smith had asked for 150gns. only when he had heard of the sale at 1500gns. Decision was reserved.

Jacopo I'alma, who is known as Palma Vecchio (Old Palma). to distinguish him from his grand-nephew, Palma Giovane, was an Italian painter of the Venetian school. He was born at Scrinalta, near Hcrgarno, about 1480, and died in 1528. Ho is reputed to have been a companion and competitor of Lorenzo Lotto, and to some extent a pupil of Titian. lie may also have been the master of Bonifazio, Ho took high rank among tho painters of tho distinctively Venetian type who remain a little below tho leading masters.

For richness of colour he is hardly to be surpassed, but neither in invention nor vigorous draughtsmanship docs he often attain any peculiar excellence. Two works by Palma aro more particularly celebrated. Tike first is a composition of six paintings in the Venetian Church of S. Maria Formosa, and the second is in tho Dresden Gallery. It is frequently named the Three Graces. A third fine work, discovered in Venico in 1900. is a portrait supposed to represent Violante, his so-called daughter, of whom Titian was said to bo enamoured.