no. 1819. THE PHILIP ABYSSINIAN COLLECTION— HOUCI1. 271 



grasping and placing the crown, above which the Spirit in form of a 

 dove rests, and back of which is represented the sun's rays. Below, 

 two figures holding rosaries prostrate themselves and at the sides 

 are Abyssinian worshippers, whose faces might have been drawn on 

 an ancient Egyptian papyrus or mummy case. 



The representation of the Father as an old man and the Son as a 

 young man has the same naive element as is shown in Velasquez's 

 painting of the same subject in the Madrid gallery. 



The painting is singularly rich in color and decorative quality. The 

 modeling is in sanguine, the outlines in very dark, rather heavy lines, 

 the treatment of the neck and hands is formal like Assyrian, the result 

 of ignorance of anatomy. The halo is circular and is molded like a 

 picture frame and it appears to be solid, as it obscures one arm of the 

 cross. The textiles are decorated with sporadic patterns; the lining 

 of the Virgin's robe and the borders are in set patterns in squares 

 which cover the surface. The worshippers are clad in lined fabrics 

 like the Mandingan cloths. The crown is turban shape set with red 

 and blue stones and terminated with a floreated Greek cross. 



Length, 49 inches; width, 42 inches. 



PI. 22. Cat. No. 261846, U.S.N.M. 



Painted scroll. — Representing on the right the Biblical story of the 

 rich man and Lazarus, and on the left the stages in the life of a holy 

 man. The groundwork represents a cross and in the circular field at 

 the top of the cross are the three evangelists depicted in the cabalistic 

 design called "The Seal of Solomon" within a circle. The painting 

 is in crude colors and the execution is somewhat better than usual. 



Length, 20 inches; width, 15 inches. 



PI. 23. Cat. No. 261886, U.S.N.M, 



Painting. — In guache on thick paper, crudely drawn and painted 

 in strong blues and reds on a chrome yellow ground. The subject is 

 Menelek and his queen receiving the benediction and protection of 

 heavenly beings, two of whom hold red umbrellas over the heads of 

 the royal pair. In the upper left hand corner is St. George on a white 

 horse. 



Length, 22 inches; width, 21 inches. 



PL 24. Cat. No. 261885, U.S.N.M. 



Scroll painting. — The medium employed is oil upon muslin sized 

 with lime. The background, as is usual with Abyssinian paintings, 

 is in brilliant yellow. The picture is arranged in three horizontal 

 bands and represents the Abyssinian and Italian troops at the battle 

 of Adowa (1896). On the upper left hand side are represented Mene- 

 lek on a white palfrey surrounded by his bodyguard. Below him are 

 Queen Taitu, the priests and Abyssinian troops, and opposite them 

 the Italian army. The Abyssinians are represented full face and 

 the Italians are drawn in profile. The painting, though crude, 



