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.

155

Helena. The painter, who is apparently about forty-three
years of age, is seen in a profile view, has on a fur cap, clad in
armour, and wearing a scarlet mantle over his shoulders, and
red hose; he is seated on the left, supporting his wife on his
knee, whom he embraces with his right arm round her neck :
her fair countenance is turned towards him, and she holds with
both hands a silver vase, which he is about to take with his
left hand. On the farther side of a table on the right stands
Bacchus, his brows bound with ivy, with a goblet of wine in
his hand, while Cupid, who is close to the front, is removing
the sword of the warrior from his side. The uncertainty of
sublunary bliss is denoted by a figure of Envy, advancing from
the shadowy back-ground, and bearing the torch of discord in
his hand. The reality of the characters destroys the poetical
allusion of the subject; in other respects it is an excellent
picture.
^st. 2 in. by 4 st. 6 in.—P. (about.) Worth 500 gs.
Cochin, in his Voyage d’Italie, mentions this picture in high
terms of praise.
Now in the Brignogli Palace at Genoa.
540. A Portrait of the Artist when about fisty years of age,
seen in a three-quarter view, with long mustacheos and a small
beard ; a large hat, turned up on the left side, decked with a
loop and feather, covers his head, and his dress consists of a
dark silk vest adorned with small gold buttons, and a dark
blue mantle embroidered with ssowers in gold; the Order of the
Golden Fleece is suspended to a chain round his neck.
28 m. by 24 m. (oval.)
In the Brignogli Palace at Genoa.
541. Vincent Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua, imploring the
Benediction of the Holy Trinity upon the newly-built Church
of the Jesuits at Mantua.
This picture is said to have been painted about the year 1611.
542. St. Jerome, with a Lion.
This picture was formerly at Modena.