Articles on new drop curtain at Pike’s Opera House

“Pike’s Opera House.—The New Drop Curtain.—A private view of the new drop curtain painted by Mr. Francesco Angero, of this city, for Pike’s Opera House was given last evening at the above establishment before a large and select company. The new curtain represents the landing of Columbus in America, and is forty-five feet wide by forty-two in length. It is painted in water colors and is unquestionably one of the handsomest drop curtains in this or any other city. The figures are nicely grouped and are somewhat larger than life size, that of Columbus, the central figure, being seven feet high, while some Indians in the foreground, on the left of the picture, reach the gigantic height of nine feet. The painting is from an original design by the artist, Mr. Francesco Angero, and represents Columbus on shore, surrounded by the officers and soliders of the expedition, some of whom have prostrated themselves upon the earth, while another is in the act of kissing the hem of the garment of the great discoverer. Several Indians occupy the foreground, and their attitudes and the expression of their faces betoken amazement and fright. Columbus is dressed in a red slashed [sic] tunic and purple doublet and holds in his right hand a sword and in his left the banner of the expedition, which latter he holds aloft, as, with upturned face and a thankful expression of countenance, he takes possession of the country in the name of Spain. The painting, with the single exception of the heavy sea in the background, which is altogether too solid, is pleasing to the eye. The treatment in general is excelltn and the credit to the artist is proportionate.”

On the viewing of new drop curtain at Pike’s Opera House.

Notes that Pike allowed select artists and members of the press into his establishment to view the new curtain.