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)

138

NICHOLAS POUSSIN.

Allegorical Subjects.
274. Venus, Love, Bacchus, and Mercury, dancing in a
ring to the music of a lyre. This beautiful allegory exhibits
the harmony of the pursuits and pleasures of human life-
Mercury, the god of commerce, is in the centre, holding the
hands of Venus and Bacchus, and their hands are entwined
with those of Love; the whole, in the most graceful attitudes,
are dancing gaily in a ring, to the inspiring sounds of a lyre,
played by the God of Music, who is seated under a clump of
trees at the side. The various emblems which distinguish the
several deities are appropriately introduced, and the surround-
ing landscape represents a tasteful arcadian scene. Engraved
by J. J. Avril.

ALLEGORICAL SUBJECTS.
275. Union, or Strength. Illustrated by a female with light
hair, which is partly concealed by a scarf, standing erect, with
her left hand placed on the Roman fasces, and the right hold-
ing the hem of her pale blue mantle.

276. Charity (companion to the preceding). Represented
by a beautiful woman, attired in a yellow vesture and a white
mantle, standing in a profile view; she has an infant at the
breast, and holds the hand of another by her side; a third
babe stands in front, fondly clinging to her mantle.
11 in. by 7 in. Coval.j
Now in the Palace of the Hermitage, at St. Petersburgh.