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 7) (London: Smith and Son, 1836)

8

REMBRANDT VAN RHYN.

Old Testament Subjects.
20. Joseph unjustly accused by the Wife of Potiphar. The
scene presents the interior of a chamber, with a bed in the
centre, at the side of which sits the accuser, attired in a red silk
robe ; her countenance, agitated by revenge, is turned towards
her husband; one hand is placed on her breast as an appeal to
the purity of her intentions, the other points to the victim of
her anger. Potiphar, richly habited in an Asiatic dress, stands
behind her chair, on the back of which is placed his right
hand, calmly listening to her story. The injured Joseph is on
the opposite side of the bed, appealing with upraised eyes and
hands to heaven «to assert his innocence. The rich dresses of
the figures, the draperies of the room, and the costly damask
hangings of the bed, mark the wealth of the Egyptian lord.
This picture is painted with a fine impasto of colour, and with
the richest hues his redundant palette could yield; these are
also accompanied by the most attractive display of the chiaro-
scuro, and a surprising breadth and power of execution.
This excellent picture was formerly in the collection of Lord
Willoughby, and was sent with a few others to a public
sale, about the year 1820, on which occasion it was knocked
down for 180^6'., and was purchased conjointly by Mr. Hick-
man and Air. Carpenter, who sold it for a very considerable
sum to Sir Thomas Lawrence, P.R.A., at whose decease it was
again sent to auction, to Mr. Christie, in 1830, when it was sold
for 570 gs.
3 ft. 8 in. by 2ft. 10|m.—C.
Now in the collection of Joseph Neeld, Escp, M.P.

21. Joseph falsely accused by the Wife of Potiphar. The
composition of this picture corresponds generally with the pre-
ceding one, the chief variations being as follows—The coun-
tenance of Potiphar is here strongly excited by anger; his
body bends slightly forward, and his hand is placed on the