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)

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ORLEANS COLLECTION.

with him a reputation which induced the nobles
of that city to give him commissions for many
of his works after he had left Italy.—The
French revolution however, that great key which
opened the doors of all the palaces, and broke
down the barriers and the entails of family pro-
perty, till that time sacred in Italy, dispersed
the collection of the nobles of Genoa, as it did
those of Rome and of Florence. In consequence
of these restrictions being taken off, the author of
this work was enabled to procure for this coun-
try some of the most capital pictures of Rubens
which were in Genoa. He transmitted to his
friend, Mr. Irvine, then resident in Italy, letters of
credit for the purpose of acquiring works of art of
the highest class ; and that gentleman succeeded in
procuring for him some of the most capital pic-
tures which could then be attained, among which
was the celebrated presentation picture by Rubens
to Charles I., which had been purchased at the
sale of that monarch’s effects for the Prince Do-
ria of Genoa, and in whose family it had remained
until the entry of the French army into Italy.
This fine work now forms the centre picture of the
Stafford gallery.
The cause which gave rise to the painting of this
capital picture is worthy of particular notice ; and,
indeed, forms not only an important event in the