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)

NICHOLAS POUSSIN.

15

Old Testament Subjects.
extent of the fore-ground ; in the centre of these, a little
retired from the front, are Moses and Aaron standing together,
and a number of persons bending on their knees around them,
gratefully acknowledging their deliverance. Moses is pointing
with his finger upwards, indicating the source from whence
their relief came; others, either overcome with hunger, or
insensible of the mercy, are gathering with avidity the precious
food ; amongst these are two men on their knees, quarrelling
over a bowl of the manna: some may be observed whose age,
or debility, from previous abstinence, render them too feeble
to gather it; one of these is an aged female, who is in the act
of receiving nourishment from the breast of her daughter, the
latter, at the same time, is looking with maternal solicitude at
her own child, which duty compels her to deprive of its natural
aliment; the father of the infant stands by, viewing with sur-
prise and admiration the affecting scene. Many other
incidents, of an appropriate description, may be noticed in the
surrounding groups. This capital picture was painted in
1639, for his friend M. de Chantelou. Engraved by C.
Chasteau, B. Audran, Bern, and anonymous.
4 st. 9 in. by 6 st. 4 in.—C.
Valued by the Experts du Musee, 1816. 120,000/s. 4800/.
Now in the Louvre.

28. Moses striking the Rock. This interesting subject,
like the preceding, offered to the artist so many prominent
characteristics, in which he could successfully display his
consummate knowledge of the passions and feelings incident
to human nature, that he has repeated it four several times,
each picture differing from the others. The one now under
notice exhibits on the right about fifteen figures, occupying
half the scene; among these are two groups of a deeply