Smith, John: A catalogue raisonné of the works of the most eminent Dutch, Flemish, and French painters: in which is included a short biographical notice of the artists, with a copious description of their principal pictures : a statement of the prices at which such pictures have been sold at public sales on the continent and in England; a reference the the galleries and private collections in which a large portion are at present; and the names of the artists by whom they have been engraved; to which is added, a brief notice of the scholars & imitators of the great masters of the above schools (Part 2) (London: Smith and Son, 1830)

RUBENS.

71

Munich Gallery.
214. Portrait of a Lady, seen in a front view, with light
curly hair, dressed in a black robe and white kerchief.
\ft. 6 in. by ift. 4 in.—P.

215. Diana, accompanied by her nymphs and dogs, de-
parting for the chase.
2 ft. by 3 st. 4 in.—P.
The landscape is the work os Breughel.

216. The Fall of the Great Dragon, and the Punishment
of the Seven Mortal Transgressions. Description, however
detailed, can convey but a faint idea of this terrific and as-
tounding scene, in the contemplation of which the mind shrinks
aghast, and the eye turns srom it with horror. A space, as far
as 44 angels ken-”, in height and depth, appears filled with
countless numbers of the condemned, 44 hurled headlong in the
wasteful deep,” pursued by the archangel Michael, armed with
thunder ; the ministers of wrath and an enormous dragon with
seven heads torment them falling. Below is seen a 44 dungeon
horrible, on all sides round as one great surnace ssaming,”
where frightful demons are dragging the wretched to misery
and woe, and where multitudes are writhing in agonizing pain.
In this wonderful production the vast powers of Rubens are
displayed in overpowering splendour, and in such bold and
daring imagery as almost equals the poetic fervour of Milton
in the exhibition of such 44 hideous ruin and combustion for
nothing short of the most consummate skill in art, joined to the
highest poetic seeling, could have conceived and executed, with
such matchless grandeur and sublimity, a subject so vast, so
truly awful and appalling, as the fall and punishment of millions
of wretched beings.
5 ft. 9 j in. by 3 st. 9| in.—P. Worth 5000 gs.
Engraved by Van Orley. Soutman has also engraved one of
principal groups, 1642.