Old Testament Subjects. 14. The Exposition of Moses. In the composition of this picture, the father of Moses is represented bending on one knee, and with careful concern committing the infant to the stream. The anxious mother, accompanied by a young woman, is a little beyond him, looking towards Pharaoh's daughter, who, with her attendants, is seen approaching at some distance. A figure, emblematic of the Nile, reclines on the foreground. 5 ft. 3 in. by 7 ft. 2 in.-C. Now in the Dresden Gallery. Worth 8007. 15. Moses preserved from the Waters. This composition consists of eight women, grouped round a basket, containing the infant; three of them are on their knees; one is raising the shoulders of the babe, and another extends her hand to take him; a fourth female is bending forward to catch a view of the young stranger. The Princess Thermutis stands in the centre, giving orders respecting the child. A river deity, emblem of the Nile, is at the side reclining on a vase, holding a cornucopia, and having a sphynx at his feet. Opposite, but more remote, is a man in a boat pushing off shore. A fine river occupies a large portion of the scene, over which is passing a ferry-boat. A distant hill is crowned with classical buildings. Engraved in the Musée Français, in outline. 3 ft. 5 in. by 5 ft. 6 in.—C. 1772. Collection of M. Nyert, 4580 fs. 1857. 16. Moses Preserved. 2 ft. 8 in. by 3 ft. 6 in.-C. A picture representing this subject was sold in the collection of M. Sabatier, Paris, 1809, 1421 fs., 577. Old Testament Subjects. 17. Moses preserved from the Waters. The scene here presents a fertile country, varied with clustered trees of light and elegant foliage, and traversed in the middle distance by a river, the farthest bank of which is adorned with buildings. The subject is composed of six females, grouped in the centre of the foreground; among whom the most distinguished is the Princess Thermutis, who appears to be giving orders relative to the infant Moses, whom a woman, probably intended for his parent, holds in her arms. A little behind Thermutis is a young woman bending on one knee, apparently expressing her gratitude for the preservation of the babe. Engraved by A. Rousselot; Edelinck, ex.; also by Niquet, and the figures by Desnoyers. 18. Moses trampling on the Crown of Pharaoh. This picture is composed of eleven figures, grouped in a stately hall. Pharaoh, clad in ample robes, is recumbent on a couch in the centre, viewing with astonishment the appalling omen of the infant treading on his crown. One of the soothsayers has advanced, and with uplifted hand is ready to immolate the child; this intention is feebly resisted by a female, who has placed her hand on his shoulder, while a second is taking the infant to her arms. Near the latter is seated the daughter of the king, who appears to be claiming the clemency of her father, on behalf of her adopted son. Two female attendants wait behind her chair, and three of the soothsayers stand behind the sovereign of Egypt. This picture was painted for Cardinal Massimi. Engraved by Bouillar and Niquet, in the Musée. 2 ft. 10 in. by 4 ft.-C. Valued by the Experts du Musée, 1816. 20,000 fs. 8001. Old Testament Subjects. 19. Moses trampling on the Crown of Pharaoh. The subject consists of the same number of figures, and is also very similarly grouped to the preceding picture, but they are here assembled in the exterior court of the palace, and instead of two females protecting the infant, only one is introduced holding him by the waist with one hand, and extending the other to resist the threatened blow. The number of soothsayers here consist of five, four of them stand behind the king. The upper part of a temple, and a palm tree, are seen above the wall enclosing the court. Engraved by Dambrum, in the Orleans Gallery. 3 ft. 1 in. by 4 ft. 4 in.-C. Collection of the Duc d'Orleans, imported 1798. Valued at 400 gs. Now in the collection of the Duke of Bedford. 20. The Soothsayers counselling Pharaoh to destroy the Child Moses. This capital picture is composed of about nine figures, the size of life, seen down to the knees. In the centre of the group is an altar, on which a fire is blazing, and on the farther side of it is seated the Egyptain monarch, who appears to be listening to the predictions and council of the soothsayers; their advice has alarmed the Princess Thermutis, and she is anxiously protecting the child from threatened destruction. This picture is painted in the grandest style of the master. 3 ft. 10 in. by 5 ft. 6 in.-C. (about.) Now in the Brandenburg Palace, at Potsdam. 21. Moses driving the Herdsmen from the Well, that the daughters of Jethro might water their flocks. This picture is composed of eight women and four men; one of the former is stooping to take water from a well placed in the centre of Old Testament Subjects. the foreground; three of her companions stand near her, and three others, one of whom has a vase on her head, are close to the side. The attention of the whole of them is directed to their protector, Moses, who has knocked one of the herdsmen down, and is attacking a second, while a third is escaping. Engraved, anonymous. There is also an etching of it by P. Peyron, done from a drawing by Poussin. 22. Moses driving the Herdsmen from the Well. The view exhibits a mountainous country, with buildings on the summits. of the distant hills. The subject is here composed of seven females and four men; three of the former stand together, erect, near the well, similar to those in the preceding picture; a fourth kneels in front, with one hand on her water-pot; and a fifth is stooping, and holding both handles of her vase, apparently in conversation with the other, who is pointing to their champion, who has knocked one of the herdsmen down, and is contending with another, while a third is escaping. Engraved by Trouvain. Moses 23. Moses driving the Herdsmen from the Well. This capital picture consists of ten figures, five of either sex. is represented standing erect in the centre of the foreground; his angry eye is directed to one of the herdsmen, upon whose shoulder he has placed one hand, while in the other he holds a stick ready to enforce command; his stern interference has surprised and terrified the rest of the herdsmen. The daughters of Jethro are behind their deliverer, expressing the satisfaction they feel at his timely protection; one of them carries a vase on her head. The distant country is hilly, and richly adorned with buildings. Engraved by Anderloni, from a picture in the collection of the Countess of Pino, in Italy. Old Testament Subjects. 24. The Burning Bush. In the representation of this miraculous occurrence, Poussin has borrowed from Raffaelle's Vision of Ezekiel. The ancient of days is here seen with outstretched arms, standing in the midst of a burning bush, having an angel buoyant under his arms on either side, and volumes of cloud over his head, floating amidst rays of dazzling light. At the sight of this awful apparition, Moses has fallen on his knees, and is bending low in reverence before it.-See the Third Book of Exodus. Engraved by Vermessen, Jun. 25. The Rod of Aaron changed into a Serpent. The subject here portrayed is recorded in the seventh chapter of Exodus, and in the ninth and three following verses. Pharaoh having called together his most learned magicians, eight in number, has demanded of Moses, in their presence, a sign of his divine mission; and Aaron, by desire of his brother, has cast down his rod, which has changed into a serpent, the magicians having done the same with the like result; the serpent of Aaron is devouring the others. This event has astonished the wise men, one of whom is stooping and endeavouring to save his reptile. The sovereign sits at the side in a dignified attitude, listening to the deliverer of the Israelites, who is seen on the opposite side and front, expostulating with the king. The scene represents the interior of a hall, covered in part with drapery. This picture was painted for Cardinal Massimi. Engraved by Poilly; and in the Musée, by Niquet. 2 ft. 9 in. by 3 ft. 93 in.-C. Valued by the Experts du Musée, Now in the Louvre. 1816. 20,000 fs. 8007. 26. The Passage of the Red Sea. In this picture the Israelites are represented as having passed the sea, and are |