Landscapes.

1672, for the Bishop of Ypres; afterwards in the Hesse Cassel Gallery, from whence it was removed in 1806, by the French, and presented to the Empress Josephine, at Malmaison, and was lastly purchased by the Emperor Alexander, in 1815. Engraved by Von Schlotterbeck, and also by C. Haldenwang. See also No. 297.

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

Now in the Palace of the Hermitage, at St. Petersburgh.

182. Priests proceeding with a Sacrificial Bull towards a Fortified City. In this scene the eye looks over an open and almost level space, to a rocky mountain in the centre; on whose summit is a circular temple composed of pillars, and a dome top; and on an acclivity half-way down the rock, is another edifice; the city already alluded to, is placed at the base of the mountain, close to the right, and presents, with its walls, bastions, and towers, an appearance of strength; it is approached by a wide bridge, on which is a group of persons and two camels. On the left of the foreground, are several priests, one of whom leads a white bull, and others bear implements for sacrificing; these are preceded by a youth with a double pipe in his hand, followed by three others, one of them with a lamb, and another with a swan in their arms. Painted in 1674, for the Cardinal Massimi; afterwards in the possession of a Mr. Edwin.-See also No. 178.

183. The Cumaan Sybil conducting Eneas to the Infernal Regions. The view represents an open, bold, and hilly scene, on the foreground of which are the Trojan hero and the Sybil, the former carries a spear in his hand, and the latter is pointing to a pool of water on the right; on the farther side of which is the supposed entrance to the infernal shades, under the base of a mountain, whose sides and summit are clothed

Landscapes.

with trees and bushes. Upon the acclivity of a rocky cliff on the opposite side, stands the temple of the Sybil; beyond which is a castle, on the summit of a hill rising from a tongue of land, around which flows a wide expansive ocean, on the horizon of which rises the island of Capria. The sun has some time declined below the horizon, and its last gleams have lighted up the western hemisphere with lurid warmth, while the whole of the surrounding landscape is submerged in the sombre hues of twilight. Painted in 1673, for Signor Paulo Francesco Falconieri.

184. Perseus. A view on the seacoast, with a mass of lofty cliffs on the left, which extend to the centre of the scene, and are rendered remarkable by a large opening in the rock, through which is seen the distant sea. On the opposite side is a cluster of trees, from hence the eye looks over an arm of the sea to the distant hills. This scene was perhaps intended to represent an enchanted island, and the subject here introduced has doubtlessly some reference to it. A figure dressed like Perseus, and wearing the talaria of Mercury, stands on the margin of a stream (which extends along the foreground), bending in conversation with Cupid, who has a bow in his hand; a little distance off, behind the former, is the famous horse Pegasus; and on the right are five women, either sitting or kneeling round some object; and a sixth is seen bathing in the sea. Painted in 1674, for Cardinal Massimi; after

wards in the possession of Mr. Edwin.

3 ft. 6 in. by 4 ft. 6 in.-C.

Now in the collection of Thomas W. Coke, Esq., Holkham.

ocean.

Landscapes.

185. The landing of Æneas in Italy. This capital picture exhibits on the left a broad river, which extends its devious course through a hilly country, and blends with the distant The opposite side is distinguished by a mass of rocky cliffs, on whose sides and summits are buildings consisting chiefly of round and square towers, having the appearance of the outworks of a fortified city, probably intended for Car thage. The base of the mountain is concealed by bushes, and a cluster of lofty trees grow on the bank of the river. Here two of the ships of the Trojan wanderer have arrived with his armed followers, and the hero is seen standing at the head of his vessels, addressing the leaders of a body of soldiers who are at the foot of the trees already noticed. On the same side, and close to the front, are a shepherd and shepherdess sitting together, while their flock reposes in the shade near them. Painted in 1675,* for Prince Don Gaspero Altieri.

Purchased about 1810, by Mr. Fagan, with the companion, No. 157, from the Altieri family, and sold to W. Beckford, Esq., from whom it passed to Mr. Hart Davies; and is now in the collection of Peter Miles, Esq., near Bristol.-For further particulars, see note to No. 157.

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

186. Dido showing Eneas the Port of Carthage. The queen, accompanied by her Trojan visitor, has advanced from the portal of a noble building of the Ionic order at the side, to the centre of the foreground, and stands with her

*At the back of the drawing from this picture is the following inscription:"Icy finij ce present livre ce aujourduy, 25 du mois du Mars 1675, Roma." In similar inscriptions he frequently blended French with Italian, neither of which e spelt with accuracy.

Landscapes.

back to the spectator, pointing to the port and its surrounding buildings; behind her are a young girl and two female attendants, one of whom holds a brace of greyhounds. Æneas is followed by an armed officer; in the rear of these are four soldiers, near the portal of the palace; beyond the group just noticed, is a triumphal arch concealed in part by some trees, a little remote from which stands a lofty tower. The opposite side of the port is embellished with a magnificent temple, composed of numerous pillars, and terminating with a cupola. Many vessels and small craft are distributed over the harbour, the entrance to which is marked by two round towers. The appearance is that of a clear fresh morning. Signed Claudio, and dated 1676, consequently the artist was seventy-six years old when he painted it for the Constable Colonna.

3 ft. 10 in. by 4 ft. 91⁄2 in.—C

Collection of William Young Otley, Esq., 1802.

Anonymous (by Mr. Christie), 1818.

Ditto (by Mr. Phillips), bought by Mr. Emmerson.

800 gs.

620 gs.

187. A Reposo of the Holy Family. The subject is here introduced in the right of the foreground, and the Virgin is seated holding the Infant closely in her arms; the attention of both the mother and Child is directed to an angel who kneels on her left with a basket of fruit in his hands. St. Joseph sits behind perusing a book, and the ass browses near him. The view is here bounded by a high bank surmounted by a cluster of trees, and a row of bushes extend along the foreground

Landscapes.

and conceal in part a stream of water; from hence the view opens over a bridge composed of three arches, to a winding river and an inlet of the sea. Painted in 1676, for Signor Mutio Massimi. The same subject occurs, Nos. 38, 88, 154, 313, and 334.

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

Now the collection of Thomas Wm. Coke, Esq., Holkham.

188. Jacob bargaining with Laban for his Daughter Rachel. The view exhibts a country bordering on the sea, and is chiefly remarkable in its composition for a cluster of beautiful trees standing amidst bushes in the centre of the picture; beyond this the eye looks over a wide expanse of sea speckled with a few ships. In addition to these objects may be noticed on the right, a high hill proximating to the sea, on whose summit is a cluster of buildings with round towers. Near the centre of the foreground is Laban standing between his two daughters, listening to the proposition of Jacob, who has a staff on his shoulder, and is pointing to a flock of sheep and some goats on his right. Painted in 1676, for Signor Francesco Mayer. The same subject as the preceding occurs in Nos. 134 and 147.

2 ft. 4 in. by 3 ft. 1 in.-C.

Collection of Noel Desenfans, Esq.

Sir Francis Bourgeois, who bequeathed it, together

with a valuable collection, to the Dulwich Gallery.

Value, about 8007.

189. A Herdsman driving Cattle through a River. The view represents a hilly country with a river flowing in the foreground, and, winding round on the right, sweeps along