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)

380

CLAUDE LORRAINE.

Landscapes.
This picture was sold by Messrs. Woodburn to Mr. Fennel
for 80Z., and the latter person subsequently parted with it, in
a bill discounting transaction, for 400/.; a law-suit afterwards
ensued upon the ground of its originality, and the result was
that Mr. Fennel was compelled to take back the picture: this
decision occasioned a second action of Fennel m Woodburn,
for the recovery of 400Z., the sum for which the plaintiff had
sold it, and on both trials, as there was much conflicting
evidence as to the originality of the picture, it was finally
decided by a verdict of the jury that Mr. Fennel should
receive back the original cost of the picture. The restoration,
which disguised a large portion of the picture, has since been
removed, and the Writer’s opinion of its originality has induced
him to notice it in this work.

413. The Musical Peasants. The view represents a well-
wooded country under the appearance of the close of day.
The left of the scene is chiefly occupied by a river crossed in
the middle distance by a bridge, formed of timber laid on
stone piers ; beyond which are buildings. On the same side
and close to the front, are two women and a man on a bank ;
one of the former is playing on a pipe, and the other is
striking the tambourine, while the latter sits by listening.
At the same time a youth is driving a herd of ten cows
through a stream, towards the ruins of a temple composed of
four Grecian columns, beyond which are clusters of umbra-
geous trees bounding the view. This picture has become
exceedingly dark by time, add to which it has suffered by
injudicious cleaning.
2ft. 3 in. by 3st.—C. Worth 400Z.
Now in the Munich Gallery.