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.

19

Old Testament Subjects.
33. The Israelites worshipping the Molten Calf. This
extraordinary circumstance, recorded in the thirty-second
chapter of Exodus, is represented by the golden Idol on a
lofty pedestal, and a company of about six young men and
women, with their hands entwined, dancing around it. Aaron,
with his arms extended, stands in front of the beast, inviting
the surrounding people to worship it; some of them are on
their knees, and others bending in adoration ; of the former,
the group nearest to the spectator consists of three handsome
women, one of whom has two infants. On one side are seen
the distant tents of the Israelites, and on the other their leader,
Moses, who is descending the mountain with a table of the
law in his hands, which he appears to be about to cast to the
ground, on beholding the idolatry of the people. This
capital production merits the highest commendation, and may
justly be reckoned among the best works of the master: it has
also the advantage of being painted on a light ground, and is,
consequently, clear in its half tones and shadows. Engraved
by Stephen Baudet, and with variations by Van Deel. This
picture was painted for the Marquess de Voghera, at Turin,
from whom it passed into the collection of H. H. Monseigneur
le Chevalier de Lorraine.
5ft. 2 in. by 7ft- 2 in.—C.
Now in the collection of the Earl of Radnor.

34. The Israelites worshipping the Molten Calf. In this
composition, the Idol is placed on the right of the picture,
and a group of about eleven persons in front of it. Several
are on their knees, and others are bending in adoration.
Among the former, is one close to the front, prostrate; and
behind him is a woman teaching her child to lift up its hands
to the image. In addition to these may be noticed, the High