DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.52801#0148
144 MR. BUCHANAN’S IMPORTATIONS.—italy.
formerly offered, though he objected to the nine
months credit. Indeed I do not think it ad-
visable giving more, as before it reaches you, with
one expense or another, it will stand you probably
in more than £600. As to the subjects of the
Murillos at Genoa, the four best are as follows,
but I can scarcely venture on more than the two
first as things go at present. 1st. A Repose in
Egypt, with Angels, about 5 feet long by about
4 high. 2d. Adoration of the Shepherds, some-
what larger, and the finer of the two, if I re-
member right. 3d. An immaculate Conception,
i. e. the Virgin standing on a new moon sur-
rounded with Angels. 4th. A penitent Magdalen,
with Angels ; companions about 5 feet high or
less. The countenance of the Magdalen not
handsome, and the angels in both not well drawn,
as is often the case with him. For these reasons
I will not now recommend them. After all, to
speak sincerely, I do not think I have erred much
on the score of subjects, and only wish you to
compare what I have sent with those of others.
In future I shall be still more cautious, and to
make every thing as clear as possible, must request
of you, on mentioning any picture to be pur-
chased, to fix as near as possible the price I might
go to. The drawing in Vandyck’s Venus is such
as is to be expected, and perfectly characteristic.
formerly offered, though he objected to the nine
months credit. Indeed I do not think it ad-
visable giving more, as before it reaches you, with
one expense or another, it will stand you probably
in more than £600. As to the subjects of the
Murillos at Genoa, the four best are as follows,
but I can scarcely venture on more than the two
first as things go at present. 1st. A Repose in
Egypt, with Angels, about 5 feet long by about
4 high. 2d. Adoration of the Shepherds, some-
what larger, and the finer of the two, if I re-
member right. 3d. An immaculate Conception,
i. e. the Virgin standing on a new moon sur-
rounded with Angels. 4th. A penitent Magdalen,
with Angels ; companions about 5 feet high or
less. The countenance of the Magdalen not
handsome, and the angels in both not well drawn,
as is often the case with him. For these reasons
I will not now recommend them. After all, to
speak sincerely, I do not think I have erred much
on the score of subjects, and only wish you to
compare what I have sent with those of others.
In future I shall be still more cautious, and to
make every thing as clear as possible, must request
of you, on mentioning any picture to be pur-
chased, to fix as near as possible the price I might
go to. The drawing in Vandyck’s Venus is such
as is to be expected, and perfectly characteristic.