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forming a kind of boundary to the foreground. A stream flows at the base of the cliffs, and appears to pass along the bushy bank to the side of the ruins, and thence under a little bridge of a single arch. The more distant landscape is also watered by an extensive river, on the banks of which may be perceived a building, with a round tower. The scene may farther be identified by a herdsman sitting at the foot of a tree on the right, playing on a pipe, while a herd of goats browse in the surrounding meadow. The effect is that of a fine clear morning. Painted for the Signor Ducaal.

2 ft. 5 in. by 3 ft. 7 in.-C.

The preceding picture was formerly in the Hesse Cassel Gallery, afterwards in the collection at Malmaison, and then in that of the Prince Talleyrand. Bought in 1817, with many other fine pictures, by Mr. Buchanan, and sold to Edward Gray, Esq., of Harengay House, for 1200 gs., from whom it passed into the collection of Bulkley Owen, Esq., at the sum of 1500 gs., and is now on sale at Mr. Yates's Gallery.

153. A Shepherdess seated, playing on a Pipe, and a Herdsman listening to the Music. The scene exhibits a view in the neighbourhood of Rome, and is rendered additionally interesting by the introduction of several celebrated ruins belonging to that city; the most conspicuous of these is the arch of Septimus Severus standing, on the left; the next in rotation appears to be the ruins of the noble amphitheatre of Vespasian, occupying a large portion of the middle distance; from thence the eye looks over a wide tract of country to a river, flowing at the base of the mountains. The right is embellished with a beautiful cluster of trees, on which side, and close to the front, is seated a young female playing on a pipe, while a herdsman stands by, listening to the music. Several

;

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oxen, sheep, and goats browse on the verdant bank of a river which flows along the foreground. Painted in 1661 for M. Le Brun. Engraved by Wilson, and also by Lowrie. 2 ft. 7 in. by 3 ft. 6 in.-C.

Collection of M. Blondel de Gagny, 1776. . 10,000 fs. . 4007. W. Agar Ellis, Esq., and at present in the collection

of the Marquess of Westminster.

The preceding picture has considerable affinity in the composition to one described in No. 82, and, like that picture, is styled in Young's Catalogue, "The Decline of the Roman Empire."

154. A Reposo of the Holy Family. This admirable. picture displays a landscape of uncommon beauty and richness. A noble river divides the country, flowing from the right in an oblique direction to the opposite side, passing under two bridges, and thence spreading itself along the base of the distant mountains; clusters of trees of various kinds. grow luxuriantly on its banks, and herds of cattle feed in the adjacent meadows. On the foreground of this lovely spot, the sacred persons above named have halted to refresh: the Virgin, seated in nearly a front view, holds the Babe on her knees while He receives some fruit from the hand of an angel, who presents it on his bended knee; behind them is the aged Joseph; and the ass is browsing at their side. On the right is seen a traveller, preceded by his dog, passing a bridge, and going towards the ruin of a temple composed of four pillars, of the Corinthian order, standing among bushes. The appearance is that of noon on a fine summer's day. Painted in 1661, for an amateur at Antwerp; afterwards in the Gallery at Hesse Cassel, from whence it was taken by the French in 1806; presented to the Empress Josephine, at Malmaison; and

Landscapes.

lastly, purchased in 1815, by the Emperor Alexander, and is now in the Palace of the Hermitage, at St. Petersburgh. Engraved by Schlotterbeck, and also by C. Haldenwang. -See also Nos. 38, 88, 187, 313, and 334.

3 ft. 8 in. by 5 ft. 1 in.-C.

Worth 2500 gs.

A duplicate of the preceding picture, of a smaller size, was painted in 1675, for a Mr. Cause.

155. A Pastoral Scene. In this picture the eye looks over an open country, distinguished by a castle and other buildings, upon an eminence in the middle distance, and a winding river flowing round the hill and sweeping along the extremity of the foreground. In this part and right of the scene is an isolated tree, bending with the weight of its boughs over the river; at the foot of the tree sits a herdsman, playing on a pipe, while his oxen and goats are browsing over the grassy foreground. A large tree, the trunk of which only is seen, is on the left, amidst bushes and a light young acacia. Painted in 1661, for Mr. Wiald.

156. A Herdsman driving Cattle to a River. In the foreground of a hilly and well-wooded landscape, is a herdsman with a long stick on his shoulder, driving several oxen and a number of goats to a river which flows over a large portion on the left, and is crossed in the centre by a bridge, having three square openings for the water to pass, and abutting against a bank clothed with bushes. The right of the picture is adorned with a large clump of young trees and bushes, amidst which grows a fine chestnut; beyond this stands the ruins of a temple: two boats are on the river, and peasants with cattle are passing the bridge. Painted in 1662, for Signor Don Lee.

Landscapes.

157. Priests sacrificing to Apollo, or the Idolatry of Solomon. This superb picture exhibits a view of vast extent and beauty; in addition to which, it is distinguished by two temples, on the right, one of which is composed of pilasters, and a niche containing a statue; the second is of a circular form, with pillars of the Corinthian order, supporting a dome, and stands on an eminence beyond it. In front of the former building are a priest and several attendants, assembled before an altar, while one of his assistants is slaying the sacrifice; at the same time a man leading a bull, decked for the ceremony, accompanied by a priestess and other attendants, are seen arriving from among a cluster of lofty trees on the left; near these are two herdsmen at the foot of a tree, one of whom is seated: from hence the eye looks over a richly-diversified landscape, through which flows a river traversed by a bridge of four arches; the distance terminates with a spacious bay partly encompassed by hills. A herd of cattle feed on the foreground. Signed, and dated 1668. Painted for Signor Angelino. Engraved by Woollett, Pardone, and Frederick Gwellin.

5 ft. 9 in. by 7 ft. 5 in.-C.

This and a picture described No. 185, are known under the appellation of the Altieri Claudes, having been purchased from a prince of that name, by Mr. Fagan, who concealed them for some time at Naples, and at length succeeded, during a popular disturbance, to ship them on board an English man-of-war, and consigned them to a merchant in this country. By some mistake they did not reach their destination but were landed at a port in the West of England, where they remained for a considerable time, and were advertised for sale among custom-house goods; no person, however, bidding the amount of the duty upon them, they were fortunately reserved, and

Landscapes.

ultimately claimed by the owner. They were subsequently sold to William Beckford, Esq., with a few small Italian pictures, for 75001.; from that gentleman they passed to Hart Davis, Esq., for the sum of 12,000l.; and were lastly transferred, with many other first-rate pictures, to John Miles, Esq., in whose collection, at Leigh Court, they now are.

158. The Flight of the Holy Family. This picture offers a landscape of an upright form, having a broad winding river on the right, which flows through a ruined bridge, and runs along the foreground: in this part are two men in a boat, one of whom is pulling in his nets, the other is rowing the boat; beyond them, on the left, is the Virgin with the Infant in her arms riding an ass, which is led by an angel, followed by Joseph; they are approaching the side, which is overshadowed by a cluster of trees and bushes, concealing the greater part of a tomb. The scene is also enlivened by a herd of oxen drinking in the stream, the keeper of which stands by, leaning on his staff. Painted in 1663,* for the Constable Colonna.

Etched in the Lucien Gallery; and engraved by Morel.

2 ft. 3 in. by 1 ft. 10 in.-C.

Collection of Lucien Buonaparte, 1816 (by Mr. Stanley), 490 gs. Now in the collection of the Right Hon. Lord Ashburton.

A picture corresponding with the preceding is in the collection of the Duke of Rutland, at Belvoir.-See also Nos. 60, 66, 104, 264, 310, 320, 362, 365, and 366.

On the back of the drawing from this picture is the following inscription:"AUDJ, 26 Frebrare, 1663.

"A questo mio libro si ritrovano cento e cinquanto tutte disegne di man mio questo di sudetto.