LOST WORKS OF ART.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21264, 19 February 1931, Page 18

LOST WORKS OF ART.

The Italian art world rose up en masse in protest when .-reports from Venice stated that two important private art collections in the city of lagoons, one of which contained Giorgione’s masterpiece, generally called “ The Tempest,” were shortly to be sold a auction, and thus scattered to the four corners of the earth —especially to the American corner (says the San Francisco Chronicle). It was soon made clear that while the majority of the works of these two collections had, in fact, been exempted by the Government from the provisions of the law against disposal outside of Italy, the country’s principal art treasures, Giorgione’s “Tempest” and a number of other important paintings involved, were still subject to its provisions, and thus were not, for the present at least, in danger of being lost to the land of their origin. But the scare had its' effect, and now ways and means of better insuring Italy’s art treasures against expatriation are discussed. The fear is expressed that even though Giorgione’s masterpiece is this time escaping the American art dealers it may not prove so lucky at some future date. The two art collections in question are that of Prince Giovanelli, which contains the Giorgione, arid that of Dona Delle Rose. Prince Giovanelli, irritated /by press reports that might be interpreted as reflecting on his patriotism, has written a letter to a newspaper in which he makes clear that there is no question whatever. of the sale of the Giorgione, and that the sale of other units of the collection is not to be on the auction block. The collection of Dona Delle Rose is known especially for some important works by Giovanni Tiepolo, the last* important master of the Venetian school, and it appears that these specified pieces also will be barred by the Government from exportation. »