New Testament Subjects.

83. The Virgin and Infant Saviour attended by Angels. This superlative picture is intended to represent a riposo of the sacred persons. The Virgin, clothed in a yellow vest and a blue mantle, is seated, in a profile view, at the base of a column on the right, with the Infant standing on her lap; her right hand holds His foot and the left His arm, which He is extending to take some fruit from the hand of an angel who is reaching over a basket of fruit, borne on the head of another angel; a third is also bending before Him, with an apple in his hand. Three other celestial infants are flying over their heads; one is raising the border of a large curtain attached from the column to a tree, the second has a chaplet of flowers in his hands, and the other is casting flowers to perfume the air. St. Joseph sits a little retired on the left, observing the passing scene. Engraved by Chasteau and Bartolozzi.

2 ft. 9 in. by 2 ft. 6 in.-C.

Collection of M. Thelluson, Paris, 1777..

Marquis de Veri, Ditto, 1785. 4800 fs.

Anonymous by Mr. Christie, 1807.

Now in the collection of the Marquess of Westminster.

240 gs.

A picture representing a Riposo of the Holy Family, was sold in the collection of the Marquess of Lansdowne, in 1806, for 6097., but the description in the catalogue is too vague to identify it.

84. The Holy Family. This capital picture is described in the catalogue of the sale as consisting of twenty figures, and represents the Virgin seated on the left, with the infant Saviour on her lap, and St. Joseph standing near her. In front of them is St. Elizabeth, on her knees, protecting her child St. John, while he affectionately pays his devotions to the Saviour. A number of angels are on the right, some of

New Testament Subjects.

them bearing baskets of fruit and flowers, to present the Saviour, while others are flying above gathering fruit from the trees which adorn the landscape.

85. The Holy Family. In the composition of this picture St. Elizabeth is introduced, presenting a goldfinch to the infant Saviour.

Collection of Mr. Hill,

1811.

580 gs.

with a river in

86. The Flight into Egypt. The view exhibits a landscape front, and a boat lying alongside the bank, into which the Virgin, who is clothed in a blue mantle, is about to enter. St. Joseph has preceded her, and is in the act of lifting the infant Saviour into the boat, while the boatman behind keeps the bark steady to the shore. A group of four angels, bearing a cross, hover above their heads. This picture was painted in 1661, for Madame Chantelou, the wife of the artist's particular friend.

3 ft. 6 in. by 3 ft.-C. Collection of Noel Desenfans, Esq., 1801. Now in the Dulwich Gallery.

160 gs

A picture, corresponding with the preceding, was sold in the collection of John Purling, Esq., 1801, for 156 gs. Bought by Mr. Burch.

87. The Flight into Egypt. The subject is introduced in the foreground of a landscape, adorned with the remains of ancient edifices. The Virgin, clothed in abundance of raiment, is passing along the centre of the foreground, with the infant Saviour in her arms, her attention being directed to some object behind her. On the farther side of her, and a little in

New Testament Subjects.

advance, is St. Joseph leading an ass by a cord, and looking attentively up to receive the guidance of an angel, who is flying behind the head of the Virgin. At some distance on the right, is a traveller reposing by the roadside. Engraved by Poilly, Audran, and Gantrel.

3 ft. 6 in. by 4 ft. 4 in.-C. (about.)

88. The Flight into Egypt. This picture represents a halt of the sacred travellers. The Virgin is seen in a front view, sitting on an ass, and looking at the Divine Babe, whom she has just given into the arms of St. Joseph. The beast is held by two angels, one of them bends his knee, and a third stands by, paying homage. Two celestial infants are flying above, with drapery in their arms, to form a tent for the sojourners. Engraved by Macret.

Now in the Palazzo Torre, at Naples.

89. A Riposo, with Angels. The Virgin and St. Joseph are here represented sitting together in the foreground of a landscape, adorned with beautiful buildings. The former, clad in abundance of raiment, sits near the centre, in the act of taking refreshment from a dish, held by an angel, who is bending on his knees. This appears to attract the attention of the Saviour, who stands leaning over the knee of His parent; two other youthful angels are behind on the left, one is pouring water from a vase into a cup held by St. Joseph, who is reaching out his hand for that purpose, behind the back of the Virgin. Among the distant buildings may be noticed an obelisk. Engraved by G. Dughet and F. Chauveau.

New Testament Subjects.

90. A Riposo. The principal group in this picture corresponds with the preceding, but instead of an angel presenting refreshments to the Saviour is a negro boy, and in place of two youthful angels are two females, one with a basket on her arm, and the other pouring water from a vase into a cup, held by St. Joseph: the ass stands by the side of the latter with its head over the wall of a well. The buildings are very similar to the one above described. Engraved by

Gantrel, ex.

91. A Riposo, with Angels. In this composition the Virgin, seen in a profile view, is seated in the centre of the foreground with her hands united, and her eyes cast down, as though engaged in prayer. The infant Saviour, partly sitting on her knee, is extending His hand to take refreshment offered by two angels while He turns His head round towards His mother. St. Joseph is reclining on a bank behind the Virgin, with his head resting on his hand, asleep. Their laden ass stands beyond them. Two angels are above, scattering flowers from their hands to perfume the air: an elephant is introduced in the distance. Engraved by Volpato, and R. Morghen. There are also two other prints after the picture, without names, in one of which are variations and suppressions.

92. The Saviour, when a youth, contemplating a Globe, This picture represents a youth with long flowing hair; he has one hand placed on a globe surmounted by a cross; his head inclines forward, and his eyes are bent down upon the object of his meditation. Half-length figure. Engraved by Poilly and Boulanger.

New Testament Subjects.

93. The Murder of the Innocents. In portraying this appalling subject, the artist has confined his picture to two groups; these exhibit all that can be conceived connected with the sanguinary act. The principal group is composed of an executioner, having merely a mantle loosely wrapped round him; his foot is placed on the breast of a prostrate babe, whose affrighted mother has thrown herself on her knees, and is extending her arm to ward off the impending blow, while with his left hand he has seized the distracted parent by the hair of the head, and is forcibly holding her back: beyond these is seen a bereaved mother carrying away her dead infant. Engraved in aquatinto by Saint Non and G. Folo.

This picture was formerly in the Giustiniani Collection, a great portion of which was sold about the year 1800 to the King of Prussia.

94. The Baptism of Jesus Christ. The subject is here illustrated by a group of five figures, assembled on the bank of a river. Jesus, the chief person among them, is seen in profile view, bending meekly on one knee, close to the margin of the stream, receiving from the hands of St. John the mystical ceremony of baptism, administered by pouring the water from both his hands on the Saviour's head. Behind these are two men kneeling, partly stripped, in readiness to enter the stream. Two others are a little beyond them, one drawing the vesture over his head, and the other nearly undressed. A river divides the landscape, beyond which the country is hilly and well wooded. The usual emblem of the Third Person of the Trinity is seen descending from the heavens. Engraved by Van Somer and J. Pesne.