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.

153

535. The Crucifixion. A composition of several figures, of
the size of life.
Michel, in his Lise of Rubens, states, that this picture and the
two preceding were painted for the church of Sante Croce della
Gerusalemme, by command of the Archduke Albert, he having
formerly been cardinal of that church ; and that they were executed
at Rome, during the artist’s residence there to complete his studies.
They are also noticed by several other writers. The three pictures
wrere imported to England in 1811.
The Crucifixion was sold by auction by Mr. Squibb, in 1812,
for 280 gs.-, again, in 1820, sor 200 gs., bought by Mr. Bryan;
and again, in 1821, for 215 gs,, bought by Messrs. Woodburn,
from whom it was purchased by Count Woronzo, and lost with
other pictures at sea.
536. The Circumcision. The subject is composed of twelve
figures, and represents the Virgin sitting in front, clothed
in a scarlet vest and a blue mantle; she is accompanied
by two female friends, who are seated on her left; one of
them holds the infant, while the priest, who is seated in the
opposite side, performs the ceremony; a second, holding a
book, is near him, and two others are looking on ; a young
woman with a child by her side stands behind the Virgin, and
two female spectators are beyond her; a company os seven
angels, paying homage to the infant, are above. This altar-
piece is so very unlike the usual style and colour of the artist,
that were it not in a measure authenticated as his work,
both by church record and tradition, the writer would have
hesitated to notice it; not from any deficiency in merit, but
solely from its resemblance to the Italian school.
14ft, by 9 st. 6 in.—sabout.)
Engraved by Lommelin.
This picture was painted by order of the Society os Jesuits, for
the high altar of the church of St. Ambrose, at Genoa, where it now is.
A capital Drawing, in red chalk, apparently the first design for
the preceding picture, is in the collection of Sir Thomas Law-
rence, P. R.A.

26 m. by 16 in.