Landscapes. may be observed a castle, at the side of a mountain, and buildings on its summit; a bridge composed of several arches, and a very remote town, are visible at the base of the cliffs. The effect is that of a fine clear morning. Painted for M. Parasson, at Lyons, and afterwards in the possession of Count Nosse. Engraved by Gmelin. This is perhaps the picture which is now in the Dresden Gallery. 3 ft. 7 in. by 4 ft. 9 in.—C. A duplicate of the preceding is in the collection of Thomas Hope, Esq. This is probably the picture which was sold in the collection of John Purlin, Esq., in 1801, for 365 gs. 3 ft. 3 in. by 4 ft. 4 in.-C. 111. Jupiter and Europa. The view represents an extensive bay of the Mediterranean Sea, with the city of Crete on the left. Its walls and lofty towers indicate great extent and strength, and the shipping riding at anchor in the harbour its maritime commerce. The subject which characterises this picture, is introduced on the shore in front, and the seductive deity, under the form of a white bull, has crouched while the beautiful nymph seats herself on his back. She is surrounded by four female attendants, two of whom are kneeling to decorate the god with flowers; the third is attaching the scarf of the nymph. A number of oxen and goats, the herds of Agenor, are browsing along the shore on the left. Painted for an amateur at Paris. Engraved by F. Vivares, in 1771, from a picture then in the collection of Sir Joshua Reynolds. See also Nos. 136, 144, and 206. 3 ft. 1 in. by 4 ft. 3 in.-C. The preceding is perhaps the picture which was sold in the collection of Sir Joshua Reynolds. Landscapes. The 112. Two Females in conversation with a Herdsman. view represents in the centre an open flat country, with a river flowing along the second distance, thence passing in an oblique direction to the left of the foreground, is bounded on this side by a high hill of a broken and rugged form, from whose side rushes a cataract, which appears to fall into the river already noticed. A winding road up the hill, leads over a bridge of three arches, and thence on to a castle on its brow. Two trees grow on the bank of the river, and a clump is close to the side at the foot of the latter sits a man whose appearance is superior to that of a herdsman; he has on a mantle, and is extending his hand towards two young women who stand before him several goats and cows are browsing in the surrounding meadow, and one of the latter is suckling her calf. Painted in 1647, for Signor Angilino. 113. The Marriage Festival of Isaac and Rebekah. This beautiful picture unites in its composition the most enchanting variety of detail, combined with chasteness of forms, breadth of effect, and the most illusive gradation of tints. In the centre, the view extends over a translucent river, crossed in the distance by a bridge of several arches, and bounded by a chain of mountains. On the spectator's left is a watermill, the round tower of which is in part concealed by a cluster of trees, and at its side passes a road apparently leading by a high hill, whose sides are clothed with bushes and trees, and its summit surmounted with buildings. At some distance off, on the opposite side, are two beautiful temples; one is of a circular form, the other square, composed of numerous columns; and beyond these is perceived a portion of a city, with its towers and fortifications. The subject which gives Landscapes. interest to the foreground, consists of a young man with timbrels, and a young woman with a tambourine, dancing to the music of pipes and other instruments, played by a company sitting together in the shade of a cluster of trees on the left. On the opposite side of the dancers, is a party of four persons, three of whom are seated and one has a child in her arms; other figures are distributed at suitable distances, and several are in boats fishing. Cattle are also enjoying the refreshing stream in front of a little bridge on the left. Painted for the Prince Panfilio. Engraved by Vivares, in 1766. 4 ft. 11 in. by 6 ft. 7 in.-C. Now in the Doria Palace, at Rome. A repetition of the preceding, differing in some of the minor details, and also with the omission of the two beautiful temples near the river, is now in the National Gallery. This picture is said to have been painted expressly for the Duc de Bouillon, as a companion to No. 114. Upon the stump of a tree in the centre of the foreground is written, “Mariage d'Isac avec Rebeca," and on a stone at the side may be read, "Claudio Gel. inv. Roma, 1648." It was imported into England during the war with France, and sold to John Julius Angerstein, Esq. Engraved by T. Mason, and Edward Goodhall. 4 ft. 101 in. by 6 ft. 7 in.-C. Purchased, with many other excellent pictures, in 1826, for the National Gallery. 114. The Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba. This magnificent production represents a seaport under the appearance of a resplendent sunrise. On the left is a royal palace with a portico of the Ionic order, approached by a double flight of stone steps, down which the queen, with a Landscapes. suitable retinue, is descending, to enter a boat lying ready to receive her. Some clusters of trees grow on the farther side of the edifice, beyond which stands a tower commanding the entrance to the port, and connected by an arched bridge, with another building; adjacent to this, but more remote, is seen part of another noble residence. On the opposite side, and close to the front, is a small portion of some public building, of the Corinthian order, of which only a single column and pilaster, with their cornice, is seen several vessels are moored around the harbour, and numerous boats appear to be moving in various directions. On the shore in front, are two gentlemen standing with their backs to the spectator, observing the passing event, and near them is a boy unmooring a boat, into which two men are depositing a trunk. This beautiful and busy scene is rendered indescribably interesting by the wonderful diffusion of light and heat, the tender mists of the early morning, and the undulating swell of the sea. Signed, and dated 1648. Painted for the Duc de Bouillon, afterwards in the possession of the Duc d'Albert, and subsequently sold with the companion, No. 113, to John Julius Angerstein, Esq., for 8000l.; and lastly, sold for about the same sum, in 1826, to the Government, for the National Gallery. 4 ft. 11 in. by 6 ft. 7 in.-C. 115. The Artist drawing from Nature. This picture is composed on the left of a large cluster of trees growing on a high bank amidst bushes; a fallen tree, lying in front of these, forms a seat for the artist, who is occupied sketching; a herdsman at the same time is kneeling on the tree, looking over him. Two women on an ass, accompanied by a man on foot, are on the farther bank of a river, driving before them a large herd Landscapes. of oxen and other cattle, which are passing through a river, and ascending a road which winds round a high bank into the distant landscape; a woman also is fording the stream, and another is taking off her stockings to follow. Upon a hill, near the centre of the view, stands the triumphal arch of Constantine, and more to the right is seen the Coliseum, part of which is hidden by clusters of trees and bushes. Painted for M. Periez, and afterwards in the possession of Mr. Hay and Mr. Walpole. 3 ft. 1 in. by 4 ft. 91⁄2 in.—C. A picture resembling very nearly the preceding, but with the addition of a boat containing a sailor, lying alongside the shore, was sold by Mr. Agar, with a companion picture, No. 124, to the Marquess of Westminster. Engraved by Fittler. -See description, Nos. 44, 301, 315, 404, and 409. 116. Cattle Watering. This picture is distinguished from others by a fallen tree lying on the margin of a river on the left, on which is seated a herdsman in conversation with a shepherdess; he is at the same time pointing to some distant object. Beyond them is a large cluster of trees and bushes, growing on a bank which extends half-way across the scene; around this flows a river extending to the opposite side, where it passes under a bridge; remote from this is a cluster of buildings on a hill. Three oxen are in the river, a fourth is in the shade close to the bank, and a fifth, together with two goats, are feeding on its margin. Painted for Signor Verdone. 1 ft. 4 in. by 1 ft. 9 in.-Cop. Formerly in the possession of Captain Barrett, Lee Priory, near Canterbury. |