New Testament Subjects.

vesture, and a dark silk mantle, which covers the top of the head, and falls over the shoulders; she is seated near a niche with a large book on her lap, which she appears to have just closed, and having removed her spectacles from her eyes, is bending slightly forward, listening to the prayers of a child, who is kneeling by her side with his hands piously united. At the extremity of the temple is introduced the presentation, and the prophet Simeon is seen on his knees with the infant Saviour in his arms, while Joseph and Mary are worshipping near him. The altar, with the table of the laws, and brazen serpent, are also visible. These figures are very subordinate, and merely form the episode to the subject of the picture. Signed, and dated 1650. This precious production of the pencil is distinguished for the simplicity of the composition, the devotional character of the prophetess, and the rich combination of colours, which have not unaptly been compared to the ruby, emerald, and pearl, so set as to give lustre to each other. Engraved by J. Fittler, and also in the Stafford Gallery. 1 ft. 5 in. by 1 ft. 1 in.-P.

Collection of De Heer Flines, Amst. 1700.

300 flo.

271.

Now in the Bridgewater collection, Lord Francis Egerton.

Worth 400 gs.

124. Saint John preaching in the Wilderness. A picture representing this subject, of which a copy was made by the late Benjamin West, Esq., P.R.A., and sold in his sale, may here be cited as a proof of his opinion of the original; but in addition to this, the writer (not having seen the picture himself) has been favoured with the testimony of a connoisseur, as to the merits and originality of the production.

2 ft. 4 in. by 3 ft.-C. (about.)

Now in the collection of the Cardinal Felch, at Rome.

New Testament Subjects.

125. St. John preaching in the Wilderness. A finished

126. Philip baptising the Eunuch. Etched by Van Vliet, 1631. The same subject is also etched by Visscher.

56

SAINTS, MONKS, &c.

127. JACOB. This picture represents the portait of a venerable man with a long beard, seen in a profile view, having the head uncovered, and the body enveloped in a large mantle. Engraved by G. F. Schmidt, and described from the print.

128. St. Jerome at his Devotions. The saint is represented on his kness, adoring a crucifix which he holds in front of a large book lying open on a bank before him; a rosary, an hour glass, and a bottle, are on the earth table near him, and a lion reposes by his side. Engraved by Van Vliet, 1631, and described from the print.

129. St. Jerome seated at the foot of a tree, reading. Etched by Van Vliet.

130. St. Anastasius at his Studies. The scene presents the interior of a large and lofty arched room, with a window at the side, near which is seated a venerable man with a gray beard, wearing an ample robe, and having a coif on his head ; a large open book is placed on a pile of others, which lie on a table before him. A lofty arched door-way leads into an adjacent apartment. Engraved by P. de Baillieu, and described from the print.

131. St. Peter repentant. The venerable apostle is represented with a countenance agitated by remorse, and his hands clasped convulsively together; both his expression and gesture show the compunctious feelings of his heart. Engraved by Van Vliet, 1634, and described from the print.

Saints, Monks, &c.

132. A Monk of the order of St. Francis, wearing a cowl over his head, and bending forward to peruse a scroll which he holds in his hands. Dated 1660.

Sold with a companion, in the collection of the Count de Vence, in 1750.

2 ft. 5 in. by 2 ft.-C.

A picture corresponding with the preceding, in which the monk is habited in a brown dress, and a pointed hood of the same colour, with the whole of the face in half tone, was exhibited in the British Gallery in 1835, belonging to the Earl of Wemyss.

133. St. Francis at his Devotions. The saint, dressed in the habit of his order, is represented in a profile view, on his knees, adoring a crucifix which he holds in his hands. A large book lies open before him on a bank, upon which are also a skull, a bottle, and a closed book. The scene exhibits the ruin of a building. Engraved in the Orleans Gallery, by Guttenburg.

1 ft. 10 in. by 1 ft. 7 in.-P.

Collection of the Duc d'Orleans, 1795.

134. A Priest performing Evening Service. The interior of a Jewish temple, with an altar on the right, before which a priest is performing service. Several persons are present, some of whom are at their devotions, and a youth holds the skirt of the priest's robe. The gloom of evening gives a solemn effect to the scene. This is a finished study.

Collection of Major-General Davy, Tracy Park.

135. A Jewish High Priest, habited in sacerdotal robes, and adorned with the emblems peculiar to the Levitical law, standing apparently within the veil of the holy of holies; he holds a large book open on his left arm, on a page of which

Saints, Monks, &c.

his right hand is placed. A table, covered with a richlyworked cloth, on which stands a gold vase, is before him. The surrounding place is veiled in twilight, which merges at the extremities into darkness, and lends an air of a solemn and religious nature to the sacred place. It is impossible to contemplate this beautiful work of art without having the feelings awakened to serious reflection.

1 ft. 11 in. by 1 ft. 71.-P.

Now in the collection of Jeremiah Harman, Esq.

136. St. Matthew writing his Gospel. This picture represents a venerable man with a bushy beard, seated, with a large open book lying on a table before him; his right hand holds a pen, and the other is placed on his breast, and he appears to have just ceased writing, and is listening to the divine inspirations of an angel, who is close at his side. Engraved by Claessens and Oortman, in the Musées Français.

2 ft. 11 in. by 2 ft. 4 in.-C.

Valued by the Experts du Musée, 1816. . 6000 fs. 2401. Now in the Louvre.

137. St. John. Engraved in mezzotinto by Vaillant.

138. A Magdalen. Engraved in mezzotinto by J. Kleine, from a picture then in the collection of M. Wohlgebohrnen.