[Homer_J_Simpson]

[Continued from January 11 (reply #6). ]

January 18. William Aspinwall’s alleged Murillo is at Williams & Stevens’. I doubt its authenticity, and can’t detect its $12,000 worth of merit. What do they mean by calling it an “Immaculate Conception,” and are there any paintings so styled? I suppose it to be an Assumption, and am confirmed therein by Kosciusko Armstrong, who ought to know.

The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas

Bartolome Esteban Murillo painted several versions of the Immaculate Conception, but I happen to know that the one below is the one that William Henry Aspinwall has in his collection (a recreation of it will appear in the Harper’s Weekly of January 30). I understand Mr. Strong’s skepticism about the name of the painting. I would have called it an Assumption myself if I saw it without the explanation.

[Tax-chick]

I’ve always disliked those obese baby “angels.” There is nothing in the Bible that remotely suggests such an appearance for angels.

Maybe it’s a psychological reaction to the high infant mortality rate.

[Jim W N]

Assumption

The "assumption" assumes A LOT...

[Homer_J_Simpson]

[Continued from January 18 (reply #9).]

January 22, FRIDAY. Heard The Barber of Seville refreshingly sung Tuesday night; Formes* superb as Don Basilio. Visit with Jones Rogers at his mamma’s in Fifth Avenue to inspect that lady’s aquaria, the finest in stock and condition that I’ve seen; especially strong in Actiniae.

* Karl Johannes Formes (1816-1889), German singer.

The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas