New Testament Subjects. union of the Saviour and Saint. Two infant angels are behind the Virgin, one of whom has a palm branch in his hand. This admirable picture is unusually rich and harmonious in its colouring. 4 ft. 6 in. by 6 ft. 51⁄2 in.-C. Now in the collection of the Earl of Ashburnham. 147. The Virgin absorbed in Meditation. Done the size of life. This picture was painted in 1655, for M. de Chantelou. 9 ft. by 5 ft.-C. 148. St. Peter and St. John healing the Impotent Man. The miracle is represented as occurring at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. The two apostles are seen on the summit of a noble flight of steps, apparently about to enter the portal of the edifice, when their attention is suddenly arrested by the plaintive entreaty of a poor cripple, who sits at the base of a column: "Then Peter said, silver and gold have I none, but such as I have I give thee; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up."-Acts iii. This is the moment depicted, St. Peter being in the act of extending his hand to raise the cripple, while St. John indicates by the elevation of his hand the source from whence their power is derived several persons are near them, some of whom are entering the portal, while others are ascending the steps in front; one of them is bestowing alms on a poor woman seated with a child reclining in her lap, another is near the centre, New Testament Subjects. with his back to the spectator, apparently speaking to a man who is descending the steps, and at whose side is a woman with a basket on her head. The receding part of the picture is occupied with beautiful buildings. This picture was painted in 1655, for M. Mercier, treasurer at Lyons. graved by C. Stella, Audran, and Wolf, ex. 4 ft. 3 in. by 5 ft. 4 in.-C. Collection of Lord Radstock, 1826. En (by Mr. Christie) 463 gs. Now in the collection of W. Wilkins, Esq. A duplicate of the preceding, with some variations, is in the collection of the Prince of Lichenstein, at Vienna. 4 ft. by 5 ft. 4 in.-C. 149. The Death of Sapphira. This awful event, as recorded in Acts v., is represented as passing in the exterior court of a house. St. Peter, St. John, and another apostle, stand together on an ascent of two steps at the side of a building on the left: the former, clothed in a blue vest and yellow mantle, is pointing towards the expiring Sapphira, who lies prostrate on the pavement, fast sinking in death; a man and a woman appear to commiserate her sufferings; the former while holding her arm, is evidently appealing to the apostle for compassion, while the latter is endeavouring to raise her up: beyond these is a woman, whose gesture and expression evince the poignancy of her feelings; and a third female, carrying a child under her arm, is retiring from the scene, inviting the former to accompany her. The remaining person is a man, standing at the extremity of the group in the centre, who appears also to be about to retire, with sentiments of displeasure. The view from hence exhibits the street of the New Testament Subjects. city composed of splendid edifices. This picture was painted for M. Fornant de Veynes. Engraved by Pesne, Bovinet, and Massard. 3 ft. 6 in. by 5 ft. 9 in.--C. Valued by the Experts du Musée, 1816. 100,000 fs. 4000%. Now in the Louvre. 150. Paul and Silas beaten and imprisoned by order of the Magistrates at Philippi, Acts xvi. 22. The scene exhibits the interior of a hall of judgment, at the extremity of which, on an elevation between pillars, are seated the three magistrates of the city: behind them stand about twelve persons. The order given for the punishment of the apostles is being executed with alacrity. Paul lies prostrate in front, two of the ministers of punishment having caught hold of him; while Silas, with his hands bound behind him, is being cruelly insulted and beaten by three others. A crowd of people is seen at the entrance to the hall. Engraved by Pautre. 151. Paul and Barnabas before Sergius Paulus. This subject is borrowed from the sixth and five following verses of the thirteenth chapter of the Acts, and represents the two apostles in the presence of the governor, Sergius Paulus, who is seated in the chair of justice, placed at the side and exterior of a handsome edifice. The moment depicted is when Elymas the sorcerer is stricken with blindness for his opposition to the apostles, and is addressing the astonished governor. Barnabas stands close behind Paul; and two armed soldiers are by their side. Beyond these are seen a number of spec New Testament Subjects. tators; and at the side of the seat of justice, close to the front are three persons of distinction conversing together. Engraved, anonymous. 152. The Vision of St. Paul. This eminent apostle is represented in the supposed presence of Divinity: four angels bear him in their arms, two of whom are infants, and the other two beautiful youths, clothed in robes of various hues. The saint's countenance, expressive of devotion and humility, is raised and turned towards the left, and his arms are widely extended. This excellent little picture is painted in a clear and beautiful tone of colour. Engraved by Pesne, Natalis, and M. Natalis. Imported with the Orleans Collection in 1798, and then valued and sold for 400 gs. 1 ft. 3 in. by 11 in.-C. Collection of George Watson Taylor, Esq., 1823. . 305 gs. 153. The Vision of St. Paul. The composition of this admirable picture differs very considerably from the preceding. The apostle is here represented borne in the arms and on the knees of two youthful angels; while a third, buoyant behind him, holds one of his hands and points upwards. The countenance and outstretched arms of the saint express his devotional rapture at beholding the heavenly vision. He is clad in a green mantle and a red vest, and the robes of the angels are composed of orange, blue, and pale yellow, of varied hues. Engraved by Dughet, Chasteau, and Niquet. 4 ft. 3 in. by 3 ft.-C. Valued by the Experts du Musée, in 1816, 36,000 fs. 14407. Now in the Louvre, Sacred Subjects. 154. The Deity attended by a Multitude of Cherubim. The subject of this picture has, doubtless, reference to some event connected with Divine revelation to man; forit represents the Eternal descending on clouds, looking down with compassion; both hands, in allusion to this feeling, are placed on his breast. He is accompanied by angels, some of whom bear up His ample robes, others float buoyantly under Him, most of them are looking down, apparently interested in a scene not visible to the spectator. Engraved in the travels of St. Non, and in outline by Soyer. 155. The Martyrdom of St. Erasmus. The composition of this picture exhibits the martyr stripped, his hands bound over his head, and lying on his back over a wood frame, while the executioner stands over him performing the horrible sentence, extracting his bowels, which another is winding with a lever round a cylinder. The priest of Hercules, and three other persons, are witnessing the cruel operation; one of them, and the most remote, is a soldier on horseback. Two angels are seen descending, bearing the palm of martyrdom. This picture was painted about the year 1631, for the Church of St. Peter, at Rome, from whence it was probably removed by the French during the war; for a picture of the same subject was exhibited in the Louvre in 1814, which was subsequently claimed and restored. This is among the very few (not more than three or four) which is signed with his name. 8 ft. 6 in. by 10 ft. 11 in.-C. T. Couvay has engraved a print which corresponds very nearly with the preceding, entitled Martyre de St. Barthélémy. 156. St. Margaret. This beautiful allegory of religious faith, represents the saint clad in a yellow vesture, and an |