COLUMBANO'S ROOM

In the studio where the master, Columbano, worked when he was a professor in the School of Fine Arts, an exhibition of his paintings is now open to the public.

This collection includes some of his best works. From the The Woman with the Grey Glove (1881) the first work executed in his special manner to the Portrait of the poet Teixeira de Pascoaes, painted in his last years, when the / 24 / artist sought to change the discreet colors on his own well seasoned palette.

Here is also to be seen the magnificent composition, Concert of Amateurs (see page 9) painted in Paris, in 1883, in Columbano's youth, where attention was drawn by the critics to the already well-defined talent of the young painter.

This picture is considered his best work.

SCULPTURE

In a room on the right, the greater part of sculpture and statuary in this Art-Gallery is collected, consisting of works by Portuguese sculptors, during the last fifty years.

Attention should be called in the first place to the original plaster cast of a veritable work of art – The Exile – by the Portuguese sculptor Soares dos Reis (see page 18).

It is the first stage of a piece of statuary of incomparable quality, of which the definite marble is to be seen at the –Oporto Museum.

This original cast of The Exile, in a neglected condition and thrust into a corner, where it can only be seen from one side, deserves to occupy the centre of a rotunda, for its manifold and varied beauty of line and curves to be fully appreciated.

Facing the entrance of this room are other works by this great sculptor –, A Bust of Mrs. Leech (see p. 19) and The Little Countess of Almedina, two magnificently sculptured marbles; in Room II, the beautiful Bust of the Countess Moser, and at the entrance of a dark passage, an expressive bronze – Head of a Negro fully testify the high merit of this great artist who committed suicide while he was still young, after producing a number of notable works of art.

Following in chronological order is Albert Nunes, whose Prodigal Child, a school-work, and A Lyric Poem, bear testimony to his refined artistic sensibility.

The old professor Simões d'Almeida has two marbles: Marguerite (see p. 19) and Don Sebastian, and a bronze piece – Puberty, whose graceful and classical line is noteworthy.

Simões Sobrinho, also a professor, is the author of the bas-relief Nymphes of the Mondego (see page 21) an Old Woman's Head and a bronze Infancy.

Teixeira Lopes, Professor of the Oporto School, is a master in Statuary, as may be seen in his group – The Widow (see page 20) and his Bust of Augusto Rosa.

Ishmael is the work of a young sculptor who died without leaving any further artistic productions.

Costa Motta's sculptures shown here are: the graceful statuette, Bernardin, Meditation, and Head of an old Woman, in marble, as well as a portrait of the painter, Malhoa, reproduced further on (see page 21).

Costa Motta (his nephew) when still holding a scholarship, sent from Paris a big and forceful nude – Preparing for the Fight –; his most recent work is Rosita (see page 22).

A poor group – Without a Home and without Bread, by Moreira Rato has found shelter in this Gallery, as well as Cain, and a Bust, that an unfortunate chance placed next to a work of art by Soares dos Reis.

Three sculptors whom death cut off at the height of their talent: Francisco Santos, Tomaz Costa and Anjos Teixeira have a good show here. The first with a large statue Nightfall, a graceful Salome (see page 22) and a sturdy Bacchante. / 25 /

Tomaz Costa, in his sensitive, graceful work Eve, recalls the manner of Falguière, as his Dancer reminds one of Carpeaux.

Anjos Teixeira exhibits a work of his youth, Imprecation; a fish woman, After the Sale, and one of his successful sketches, Faun and Nymph.

The Faun, by the young professor Leopoldo d'Almeida (see plate 24) and a fine Torso by Diogo de Macedo, are the latest acquisitions.

Francisco France, a stylist in statuary, both archaic and modern, exhibits only a Bust of the painter, Manuel Jardim. He greatly influenced the generation that succeeded him, which includes noteworthy names, such as Ruy Gameiro, prematurely dead, Barata Feio and António Duarte, of whom this gallery possesses paintings which have never been exhibited.

A. L. O.