New Testament Subjects. 51. The Adoration of the Shepherds. The scene here exhibits the interior of a spacious stable, on the left front of which is seated the Virgin, clothed in ample robes and seen in a profile view, with her attention fixed on the Infant, who is lying naked on some linen; one hand of the Virgin appears to be passed under the straw to raise His shoulders. St. Joseph stands beyond, with his hands extended, viewing with rapture the Divine Babe. Six shepherds are paying Him adoration; four of them are on their knees, and a fifth is prostrate on the ground. An ox and an ass are at the extremity of the stable. Engraved by Lombard and Pesne. 52. The Adoration of the Shepherds. The Virgin is here represented in nearly a profile view, seated on a heap of straw, holding the Infant in a recumbent position on her lap, and looking down on Him with maternal affection. Four shepherds have approached to worship the Babe; one of these, wearing a yellow vesture, bends on one knee with his hands crossed on his breast; the second, also kneeling, is kissing the linen on which the Child lies; the third screens his eyes with his hand; and the fourth bends forward, leaning on his staff. St. Joseph stands on the farther side of the Virgin, pointing to the Infant. This picture is painted in a clear tone of colour, and in the artist's most esteemed manner. Engraved by Nolin, and done in lithography. 3 ft. 1 in. by 4 ft. 1 in.-C. Now in the Royal Gallery at Munich. Worth 8007. 53. The Adoration of the Shepherds. The subject is introduced in the interior of a dilapidated temple, now used as a stable. The Virgin is seen, in nearly a front view, on her New Testament Subjects. knees, bending over the sleeping Infant, whose head she appears to support with one hand, while with the other she holds up the linen on which He lies. St. Joseph stands behind her, leaning on a staff; on the opposite side are two shepherds and shepherdesses, one of the former is bowing in adoration, and the other is on one knee, bending low, with his hands united; beyond these is a shepherdess on her knees, with her hands crossed on her bosom, and the remaining female is in the act of removing a basket of fruit from her head. Five angels, hovering above, are casting flowers from their hands; an ox and an ass are in the stable, through the entrance to which, other persons are seen approaching, and in the distance is portrayed the angels appearing to the shepherds. Engraved by Stephen Picart, and in mezzotinto by L. Schmidt. 3 ft. 2 in. by 2 ft. 4 in.-C. Collection of M. Selle, Paris, . 1761. 2400 fs. 961. The composition 54. The Adoration of the Shepherds. here corresponds exactly with all the principal figures in the preceding picture, but the choir of angels above are omitted, as are also the two persons approaching the entrance to the stable, which is also formed of a ruined temple, having a lofty archway, through which is seen, at a remote distance, the angels appearing to the shepherds. 1 ft. 9 in. by 2 ft. 8 in.-C. Formerly in the possession of Lord Radstock. 55. The Adoration of the Shepherds. The subject is composed of seven figures. The scene presents the interior of an ancient edifice, converted into a stable. The Virgin, attired in a reddish vest, a blue mantle, and a white hood, is repre New Testament Subjects. sented in nearly a front view, on one knee, bending affectionately over the Infant, who is lying asleep on some straw. St. Joseph stands behind the Virgin, leaning on a staff, and looking earnestly on. Opposite are two shepherds; one is bowing in adoration, with his hand on his breast; the other is on his knee, bending lowly before the Babe, with his hands united; beyond these is a shepherdess on her knees, with her hands crossed on her bosom. A second woman has a basket of fruit in her hands. Through the entrance to the place is seen the distant country, and the angel appearing to the shepherds. The composition of this picture corresponds very closely with the preceding. 1 ft. 9 in. by 2 ft. 3 in.-C. Collection of Sir Joshua Reynolds, . 1795. 205 gs. A picture, representing the same subject as the last, was sold in the collection of Sir W. Hillary, Bart., 1800, 170 gs. 56. The Adoration of the Magi. The event is here represented as passing in the open air, and near to an unfinished temple. The Virgin, clothed in ample raiment, is seated close to the side and front, holding the naked Infant in a sitting posture on her lap, while the Magi and Eastern Kings, about six in number, offer their gifts and adoration. One of them, the nearest to the spectator, is on his knees, with hands united, bending lowly before the Divine Babe; his crown, and an incense pot, are placed before him; another is in the act of bowing, and about to kneel; and a third, seen in nearly a front view, is on his knees with his hands crossed on his breast; the remaining three are behind, manifesting similar feelings of devotion; one of these has a shield attached to his waist. St. Joseph stands on the farther side of the Virgin, near a table New Testament Subjects. on which is a diadem and a cup; beyond the principal groups are a young woman, with her finger on her mouth, and a youth with a spear in his hand; and considerably remote from the latter figure, several persons are seen approaching on horseback and on foot. This picture was painted at Rome, in 1663, for M. de Mouroy, from whom it passed to M. de Boisfranc, and thence to the House of the Chartreux, at Paris. Engraved by Avrice and Ant. Morghen. 5 ft. 7 in. by 5 ft. 4 in.—C. Now in the Dulwich Gallery. A picture representing the Adoration of the Magi, formerly belonging to Sir Edward Walpole, Bart., was sold in the collection of Sir Joshna Reynolds, 1795, 500 gs. Again by Mr. H. Phillips, 1798, 270 gs. 57. The Adoration of the Magi. The subject, as in the preceding number, is represented as occurring in the open air, and near to an unfinished or dilapidated building. The Virgin has risen from her seat, and stands on the left, holding the Infant seated on her hands; St. Joseph stands by her side. The Magi and their attendants, consisting of nine persons, are on the opposite side; one of the former is kneeling close to the front, bending lowly before the Saviour, and holding a casket in his hands; another in a similar position, wearing a diadem, is in the act of turning round to take a cup of gold from a page, and a third, having the appearance of an Ethiopian, is presenting a vase of gold: of the remaining persons, who are behind the three already noticed, one, holding a spear, stands with his back to the spectator. A choir of four angels hover above in a flood of light. Engraved by Picault. 6 ft. 6 in. by 5 ft. 8 in.-C. New Testament Subjects. 58. The Adoration of the Magi. This picture is composed of nine figures, the grouping and positions of which correspond very nearly with No. 57, except that the form of this is upright. The Virgin, clothed in ample raiment, is seated at the side holding the Infant on her knees. St. Joseph stands by her side, with his hands resting on a staff. Three magi only are here introduced, one of them is on his knees, bending lowly, with his hands united, his crown, and an incense vase, are placed before him; a second, having the appearance of an Ethiopian, is about to kneel; and the remaining one is kneeling with one hand on his breast; the head of a fourth person is seen behind them, and at the extremity of the group are a youth with his finger on his lips, and another holding a crown; a star, surrounded by five angels, who are floating on a cloud, is seen above. The background is composed of the walls of a temple. Engraved by Theboust. 59. The Adoration of the Magi. This admirable picture represents the Virgin, clothed in a bright blue mantle, seated on the right, holding the Infant, before whom the Eastern kings are bowing in adoration; one of them, wearing a yellow vest and a red mantle, is on his knees in front; beyond him is a Moorish king, habited in a pale yellow robe; and on the right of the latter a third worshipping, with both hands on his breast; behind these are five others, one, having a spear and a shield, is bending on one knee. An ancient edifice, composed of Greek architecture, forms the abode of these sacred persons. This picture has the advantage of being clear in colour, and is painted in the artist's finest manner. 5 ft. 8 in. by 6 ft. 6 in.-C. Now in the Dresden Gallery. VOL. VIII. D Worth 800 gs. |