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)

16

NICHOLAS POUSSIN.

Old Testament Subjects.
affecting description; the nearest consists of an anxious
mother, who is seated with a sickly infant at her breast, and a
young woman (probably intended for her sister) extended on
the ground, with her head resting on her sister’s lap; a little
retired from these is a second group, composed of an aged
man seated on the ground, with his dying child reclining her
head on his knees; and behind him is a woman, so debilitated
that she can only view with longing eyes the precious beverage,
without the power of reaching it. Most of the others, over-
come by their own sufferings, appear to forget those in a
dying state behind them, and with eager haste are slaking their
parched thirst. Among them may be noticed one, apparentlv
the husband of the woman already noticed, who is interceding
on her behalf. On the opposite side are three elders, kneeling
in grateful adoration ; beyond these are Moses and Aaron,
standing together ; the former is in the act of smiting the rock
with his wand; the latter, with his hands united, is returning
thanks for the miraculous deliverance. Poussin painted this
picture in 1649, for his friend M. Stella. Engraved by Claude
Stella, J. B. de Poilly, and by J. B. Michell; by the latter
when it was in the Houghton collection, the whole of which
was sold, in 1787, to the Empress Catherine of Russia, and now
adorns the Hermitage Palace at St. Petersburgh.
4st. by 6ft. 3| in.—C.

29- Moses striking the Rock. This picture is composed of
a multitude of persons congregated thickly togethei’; the
greater portion of them are holding up their hands, and
appear to be shouting or singing praises for their miraculous
deliverance. Upon an elevation, at the extremity of the fore-
ground, are Moses and Aaron; the latter stands with his hands
crossed on his breast, and the former is smiting, with his wand,