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 3) (London: Smith and Son, 1831)

76

VAN DYCK.

National Gallery.
Sold at Mr. Christie’s, .... 1796. . . . 230 gs.
Collection of Mr. Brian, .... 1798 . . . 340 gs.
It would probably now sell for 700 gs.
252. The Archbishop Ambrose refusing the Emperor Theo-
dosius admittance into the Church, after the massacre com-
mitted at Thessalonica. The composition, consisting of eleven
figures, represents the emperor bare headed, and clad in ar-
mour, advancing in a submissive attitude to the porch of the
church at Milan, in which he was desirous of doing penance
for his crimes; he is there met by the archbishop, attired in his
archiepiscopal robes, with a mitre on his head; the prelate’s
hands are extended in a repelling position, and his countenance
indicates the dignified rebuke which he made on the occa-
sion, “ That private contrition is not an atonement for a public
offence.”
4<st. 10 in. by 3 ft. 9 in.—C. Worth 800 gs.
Engraved by Sievier.
Although the artist borrowed the composition of this excellent
picture from one done by Rubens (see that Master’s Works,
Vol. II., p. 79, now in the Vienna Gallery), he has made such
judicious alterations in the position and air of several of the heads,
in the correctness of drawing the figures, and other improvements,
and also painted it on such a very reduced scale, that, unlike most
copies, it possesses masterly freedom of handling, abundance of
fine expression, and beautiful richness of colouring ; and, indeed,
every thing which an original should possess.
It was formerly in the collection of the Earl of Scarborough, at
the sale of whose effects it was purchased by Mr. Elwyn, who sold
it to Mr. Angerstein.