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)

278

CLAUDE LORRAINE.

Landscapes.
157. Priests sacrificing to Apollo, or the Idolatry of Solomon.
This superb picture exhibits a view of vast extent and beauty;
in addition to which, it is distinguished by two temples on
the right, one of which is composed of pilasters, and a nich
containing a statue ; the second is of a circular form, with
pillars of the Corinthian order, supporting a dome, and stands
on an eminence beyond it. In front of the former building
are a priest and several attendants, assembled before an altar,
while one of his assistants is slaying the sacrifice ; at the same
time a man leading a bull, decked for the ceremony, accom-
panied by a priestess and other attendants, are seen arriving
from among a cluster of lofty trees on the left; near these are
two herdsmen at the foot of a tree, one of whom is seated :
from hence the eye looks over a richly diversisied landscape,
through which ssows a river traversed by a bridge of four
arches; the distance terminates with a spacious bay partly
encompassed by hills. A herd of cattle feed on the fore-
ground. Signed, and dated 1668. Painted for Signor
Angelino. Engraved by Woollett, Pardone, and Frederick
G wellin.
5 ft. 9 in. by 7st- 5 in.—C.
This and a picture described No. 185, are known under the
appellation of the Altieri Claudes, having been purchased from
a Prince of that name, by Mr. Fagan, who concealed them for
some time at Naples, and at length succeeded, during a popular
disturbance, to ship them on board an English man-of-war,
and consigned them to a merchant in this country. By
some mistake they did not reach their destination, but were
landed at a port in the West of England, where they remained
for a considerable time, and were advertised for sale among
custom-house goods; no person, however,, bidding the amount
of the duty upon them, they were fortunately reserved, and