Museum of Spiritism.

Among the plans for the future that Mr. Allan Kardec published in the December Review, and whose execution his unforeseen departure will necessarily delay, the following paragraph is to be found:

“To the general functions of the commission there will be annexed, as local dependencies:

“1st – …

“2nd – A museum where there shall be gathered the first works of Spiritist art, the most remarkable mediumistic works, the portraits of the adepts to whom the cause owes much for the devotion they have shown, those of the men to whom Spiritism renders homage, though strangers to the Doctrine, as benefactors of Humanity, great genius missionaries of progress, etc. “The future museum already possesses eight pictures of great dimensions, which only await a suitable place; true masterpieces, especially executed with Spiritism in view, by an artist of renown, who generously donated them to the Doctrine. It is the inauguration of Spiritist art, by a man who unites to a sincere faith the talent of the great masters. In due time we shall give a detailed description of them.” (Review of December 1868.)

These eight pictures comprise: the allegorical portrait of Mr. Allan Kardec, the Portrait of the author, three Spiritist scenes from the life of Joan of Arc, designated thus: Joan at the spring, Joan wounded, and Joan on her pyre; the Auto-da-fé of John Huss, a symbolic picture of the Three Revelations, and the Apparition of Jesus among the apostles, after his bodily death. When Mr. Allan Kardec published this article in the Review, he intended to make known the name of the author, so that everyone might render homage to his talent and to the firmness of his convictions. If he did nothing, it was because the one who is known to most of you, out of a sentiment of modesty that you readily understand, wished to keep his incognito and to be known only after his death. Today the circumstances have changed; Mr. Allan Kardec is no longer among us and, if we must strive to carry out his designs, as far as we can, we must also, whenever it is possible for us, safeguard our responsibility and confront the eventualities that unforeseen events or malevolent maneuvers may give rise to. It is with this intention, gentlemen, that Mrs. Allan Kardec charges me to make known to you that six of the pictures designated above, placed in the hands of her husband, are currently with her, and that she will keep them in deposit until a suitable place, purchased with the funds coming from the General Fund and, consequently, kept under the direction of the Central Commission, charged with the general interests of the Doctrine, allows them to be arranged in a fitting manner. Until now the multiple difficulties of a change of residence, under the painful conditions that you know, have not allowed the pictures to be seen. Henceforth, every Spiritist may, if such be his desire, examine and appreciate them at the private residence of Mrs. Allan Kardec, on Wednesdays, from two to four o’clock. The two other pictures are still in the hands of the author, whom you have certainly all already recognized. It is, in fact, Mr. Monvoisin, who, drawing new energy from the firmness of his convictions, wished, despite his advanced age, to contribute to the development of the Doctrine, opening a new era for painting and placing himself at the head of those who, in the future, will illustrate Spiritist art. We shall say nothing further about it. Mr. Monvoisin is known and appreciated by all, both as a talented artist and as a devoted Spiritist, and he will take his place beside the master, in the ranks of those who shall have well deserved of Spiritism.

(Extract from the minutes of the session of May 7, 1869.)