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)

266 RUBENS.
sheep. The figures only are by Rubens; the rest is apparently
by the hand of Mompers.
Engraved by Avril, 1781, entitled Le Croc-en-jambe, from a pic-
ture at that time in the collection of M. Gouffier.
This picture is inserted atp. 35, being No. 297 in the catalogue of
Rubens’s effects.
899- A Roman Soldier. He is clad in armour, with a lion’s
skin over his cuirass, a helmet on his head, and a lance in his
left hand. The figure is of the size of life, seen to the middle,
with the back turned towards the spectator.
2 ft. 7 in. by 2 ft.—P.
Collection of M. Muller, . Amst. 1827. . 1550fo. 140Z.
Now in the collection of Edward Gray, Esq.

900. David strangling a Bear. The athletic youth, who is
naked all but the loins, has seized the animal round the neck
with both arms, and is compressing it with all his force. A dead
lion lies on the left and front of the picture, and on the opposite
side is a ssock of sheep, one of which lies dead. The composition
and drawing of this production are full of energy and character-
istic expression, and the colouring is fresh and brilliant. It is
not improbable but that the artist borrowed the idea of the
design from an antique gem. The landscape is by the hand of
Wildens, and the animals by Snyders.
7 st. 4 in. by 8 st. 8 in.—C.
Engraved, with variations, by Panneels.
Collection of Count Altimera, 1827 (by Mr. Stanley), 170gs.

901. The Annunciation. The Virgin is represented on her
knees, before a little table with a book open on it, and appears
to be suddenly diverted from her devotions by the celestial
messenger, who is ssoating buoyantly in the air behind her,
announcing the behest of the Most High, to which she attends
with an expression of obedient humility, placing her right hand
on her bosom ; the Third Person of the Trinity, in the form of