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)

112

RUBENS.

to be informed in what state of progress the picture is in which I
have in hand for your friend at Cologne ; to which I have the
honour to reply, that it is already considerably advanced, and I
hope to make it one os the best pictures that ever came from my
hands, of which intention you may freely assure your friend. But
I must not be pressed to finish it; and I request you to leave its
completion to my discretion and convenience, that it may be done
with due taste and care ; for although I am inundated with orders,
yet this subject pleases and invites my attention more than any
other I have in hand.”
By whatever accident it occurred, this picture remained in the
artist’s possession until his decease, in 1640, when it was valued at
1200flo. (108Z.), and purchased by a gentleman of the name of
Jabach, of Cologne, who is said to have presented it to the church
of St. Peter, in that city *. Report, however, gives the painter
the honour of having presented it to the church in which he was
baptized; but the preceding statements completely nullify this
account.
Travellers should be informed, that this picture is not visible to
the public but upon extraordinary occasions, the guardians of the
church’s property having caused a copy to be attached to the back
of the original, which turns on a pivot. The object of this is, to
obtain a trissing see sor the sight of it.
The preceding picture was exhibited in the Louvre in 1814, and
restored to the church at Cologne in 1815.
378. Venus endeavouring to detain Adonis from the Chase,
and Cupid seconding her endeavours by holding the spear of
the huntsman and embracing his thigh ; the car of the goddess,
and her milk-white swans in playful action are behind her.
Three sporting dogs on the opposite side complete the com-
position.
2 ft. 6 in. by 1 ft. 9 in.—P. Worth 550 gs.
Engraved by Tassaert, and also in the Musee Francais.
Taken from the Louvre in 1815, and restored to the Plague
Gallery.
* This opinion is in some measure confirmed by an inscription on the altar,
which states that it (the altar) was erected and endowed by M. Jabach.