The Vatican Goes Modern

As one of the world's great treasure houses of art, the Vatican has long acted as if all painters of merit stopped painting and all sculptors stopped sculpting some time during the 17th century. Last week, almost by stealth, the Vatican opened two galleries devoted solely to late 19th and 20th century art. There was no ceremony, not even an announcement to the press.

Included were the work of 19 Italians and five Frenchmen, all on their very best behavior. Rodin is represented by a terra cotta study of his Thinker, Rouault by a somber Autumn. About the liveliest item in the show is a couple of playful cats done by Sculptor Pericle Fazzini. As usual, Giorgio de Chirico was unhappy about the choice of his work--an uninspired Still Life with Fruit and Milan Cathedral Seen from Rooftops. Said he: "Of course all my works are good, but these are of lesser importance."

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.