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)

224

RUBENS.

size of life, seen down to their middles. The accused woman,
with a countenance expressive of deep repentance, stands in the
centre, and her two chief accusers are on her left; the nearest,
in a sacerdotal habit and wearing a phylactery on his fore-
head, is said to have been intended for a portrait of Calvin;
the other for that of Luther. The former, with a peculiar
archness of expression, accompanied by suitable action, appears
to have made the charge, and is reciting the law laid down by
Moses, “ that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou ?”—
whilst the latter, with a stoical calmness, has his eyes fixed
on the Saviour, who stands in the opposite side in an atti-
tude of appeal to these accusers. The head of a venerable
man, seen on the woman’s right, is considered to be a portrait
of Rubens’s master, Otho Venius. Great expression and splendid
colouring are the chief characteristics of this capital picture,
which is said to have been painted for the family of Knuyf, of
Antwerp, and devolved by inheritance to the celebrated col-
lector, the Canon Knuyf.
4/Z. 8 in. by 7st. kin.—P.
Engraved by Madlle. Simons and Tassaert; in Tresheim’s British
Gallery, by Cardon; and by W. Bromley, in the Forster Gallery.
Collection of the Canon Knuyf, Ant. 1780.
- Henry Hope, Esq. . 1816. . . . 2000 gs.
Bought by Mr. Norton.
Exhibited in the British Gallery in 1818.
Now in the collection of J. P. Miles, Esq., at Bristol.

797. Christ bearing his Cross. A masterly sketch, en
grisaille, for a large picture.
Collection of M. Thellusons,
-* Duke d’Albert, . . 1817 85 gs.

798. Salvator Mundi.
Painted for the Duke of Mantua, and subsequently in the col-
lection of M. Veluvi.
Sale at Mr. Christie’s, . . . 1818. .... 235 gs.