Page:Cyclopedia of painters and paintings (IA cyclopediaofpain03cham).pdf/305

 MONACA, LA (The Nun), attributed to Leonardo da Vinci (?), Pitti, Florence; wood, H. 2 ft. × 1 ft. 4 in. Half-length, in black dress, with white veil falling upon shoulders; holds a book in left hand; background, seen through two arches, the buildings of a city with hill in distance. Supposed by some to be a portrait of Ginevra, wife of Amerigo Benci, which Leonardo painted in Florence about 1500, but the picture is probably not by Leonardo. Bought by Ferdinand III. of Niccolini family. Engraved by Marchi.—Vasari, ed. Mil., iv. 39; Gal. du Pal. Pitti, ii. Pl. 36; Clement, 374; Rigollot, Hist. des Arts, etc., i. 301; Heaton, 266, 270.

MONACHESI, NICOLA, born at Tolentino, Italy, in 1795, died in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1851. History and portrait painter, pupil of the Accademia di S. Luca, Rome, under Gasparo Landi, where he won the first prize for painting. In 1831 he emigrated to America, made his home in Philadelphia, and soon after became a naturalized citizen. Among his earliest patrons were Stephen Girard, Madam Rush, and Joseph Bonaparte. In 1832 he executed a series of frescos in St. John's Roman Catholic Church (then the Cathedral), Philadelphia, which brought him into prominent notice. These, painted upon wet plaster, are said to have been the first real frescos executed in this country. In 1833-34 he frescoed the Philadelphia Merchants' Exchange, and in 1834 Matthew Newkirk's residence, the decorations of which were carefully preserved when it was made into St. George's Hall. He also frescoed the Roman Catholic Churches of St. Mary, St. Joseph, St. Augustine, and St. Philip, and painted altarpieces for them. In 1841-42 his large historical picture, The Murder of Jane McCrea, was exhibited in Philadelphia. His portraits exist in many old families of Philadelphia and its vicinity.

MONACO. See Lorenzo Monaco.

MONARCH OF THE GLEN, Sir Edwin Landseer, H. W. Eaton, M.P., London; canvas, about 5 ft. 6 in. square. A noble stag, crowned with twelve tines, stands among the clouds on a throne of rock and heather, proudly rearing his head, breathing defiance to all rivals. Painted in 1851; intended to fill a square panel in the House of Lords, but declined. Landseer soon had his revenge when the picture won the admiration of everybody at the Academy Exhibition. Sold to Lord Londesborough for 350 guineas; at Lady Otho Fitzgerald sale (1884), £6,510. Engraved by Thomas Landseer.—London Times, May 12, 1884.

Francisco de Monçada, Anton van Dyck, Louvre, Paris.

MONCADA, FRANCISCO DE, portrait, Anton van Dyck, Louvre, Paris; canvas, H. 9 ft. 11 in. × 8 ft. Equestrian portrait of Monçada, Marquis d'Aytona, commander of the Spanish forces in the Netherlands (born in 1586, died in 1635). He is in armour, bare-headed, with a red silk scarf on left arm, and a commander's baton in his hand. One of Van Dyck's best equestrian pictures. Painted about 1632. Engraved by R. Morghen; Vorsterman. Study (bust) in Louvre; engraved by Snyderhoef.—Villot, Cat. Louvre; Filhol.