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 8) (London: Smith and Son, 1837)

THE LIFE OF

which occurred in 1623, opened to the poet a sair
prospect of improving his fortune, for he had long
been on the most friendly terms with his Holiness ;
he therefore lost no time in quitting Paris for Rome,
and would have gladly taken the Artist with him, but
engagements of a pressing nature prevented the latter
from embracing the agreeable invitation, and he there-
fore promised to follow his friend, as soon as his affairs
would permit. Poussin was then engaged in com-
pleting several pictures, one of which was the death of
the Virgin, formerly in the Church of Notre Dame;
it was not, therefore, until some months after the
departure of Marino, and when he had attained his
thirtieth year, that he made the third attempt to reach
the Roman capital. On this occasion his prospects were
bright and promising, for, in addition to the enlarged
experience in his profession, and the reputation thereby
gained, he had also the encouraging promise of a
friend to receive and introduce him on his arrival. In
the latter end of April 1624, Poussin entered the long
wished for city, and had the satisfaction to find, that
the Poet was disposed to realize all that he had pro-
mised. Marino’s intentions towards him were, how-
ever, frustrated by his continued indisposition, which
ultimately compelled him to quit Rome and retire to
Naples, his native place; but previous to his departure,
he warmly recommended the Artist to his friend, the
Signor Marcello Sacchetti, from whom he experienced
a most courteous reception, and by whose influence he
obtained the patronage of the Cardinal Barberini,
nephew to the reigning Pope. These flattering pros-