Buchanan, William: Memoirs of painting: with a chronological history of the importation of pictures by the great masters into England since the French Revolution (Band 1) (London: Ackermann, 1824)

78

ORLEANS COLLECTION.

The high reputation which Annibal had ac-
quired in his own country, directed towards him
the attention of the Cardinal Farnese, aud he was
invited to Rome to adorn the gallery of his palace.
In this grand undertaking he was engaged eight
years of the best period of his life, and he was
aided in its completion by the joint talents of Lu-
dovico, and of Agostino.—Trusting to the high
rank and situation of his employer, and entering
with ardour into an engagement wherein he had
an opportunity of displaying his great powers on
a new field, he was improvident enough to leave
to the generosity of the Cardinal, that recompense
to which his talents and industry were so well
entitled ; and he had the mortifying proof to find,
when it was too late, that, generosity, or gratitude
for services rendered, does not always attach to
elevated rank, or power. He received the mi-
serable compensation of 500 crowns for his la-
bours ; a parsimony on the part of the Cardinal
which proved a want of soul, and of judgment.
This country is rich in the paintings of Annibal
Caracce,—and although we cannot boast of those
grand works which are to be found on the walls
of the Italian palaces, and particularly of the Far-
nese, still we possess many exquisite cabinet gems
of this great master, which are at this day in the
finest state of preservation.