A Masterpiece in Disguise

Looking as if he wanted to break into a dance and a cheer, the Detroit Institute of Arts' Director Edgar P. Richardson peered through his rimless glasses at a press conference one day last week and announced: "I am about to tell the success story of a picture." What precise, soft-spoken Dr. Richardson had to tell was news indeed. The small (only 8 1/4-in. by 5 1/4in.) painting that the museum had bought in 1925 for $18,000 had at last been identified. Its painter: Jan van Eyck, one of the most highly valued Flemish artists. "There is no longer any question," said Richardson triumphantly. "It is the work of one hand only, and that one hand is Van Eyck's." Authentication of the painting--St. Jerome in His Study, showing the 4th century scholar who made a new translation of the Bible into Latin--is typical of the best of 20th century art sleuthing. The painting was known to be a puzzler when Detroit bought it.

Sections of the carefully detailed Gothic craftsmanship seemed like Van Eyck's work. But the red-brown robe was uninspired and dull, and the floor area was badly wrinkled.

Some 30 scholars debated the authorship of St.

Jerome before Dr. Erwin Panofsky of Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study discovered that the minuscule address on the letter on the table could be deciphered. The medieval writing was addressed to "The Cardinal Priest of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem." St. Jerome had no connection with that church, but Van Eyck's friend and patron, Niccolo Albergati, was made cardinal of the church in 1426.

The clinching evidence came last February when the painting was sent to Manhattan Art Restorer William Suhr for cleaning. He discovered that the panel had been heavily overpainted, the hat changed in shape, a cherry-red rosary made into a blue cord.

Underneath the robe was the original paint, heavily damaged, but identified by Richardson as "characteristic Van Eyck color--a clear, deep crimson." As to the value of Detroit's find, one of 30-odd Van Eycks in existence, Richardson pointed out that Manhattan's Frick Collection paid a reported $750,000 for a Virgin and Child by Van Eyck and his follower, Petrus Christus. Already one dealer has offered Detroit $400,000 for its St. Jerome. But Director Richardson had a firm answer: the painting is not for sale.

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