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 (Band 9): Supplement (London: Smith and Son, 1842)

NICHOLAS BERGHEM.

607

40. Peasants with cattle and laden mules. The scene exhi-
bits a grand mountainous country, under the aspect of a sultry
summer’s evening. A chain of lofty cliffs rises majestically
on the left, concealed in part by two umbrageous trees ;
between these and the rocks is a road leading to a cavern,
on which are several cows and a number of sheep, and the
herdsman is on the margin of a stream drinking out of the
rim of his hat. On the opposite side is a broad road, on
which are seen approaching a man and two women with two
cows, a number of sheep, and a laden ass ; one of the women
is mounted on a mule, and the other walks by her side.
Beyond these the eye looks over a shallow river to the ruins
of some arches and a round tower, and thence to the distant
hilly country.
About 6 st. by 4 st. 10.—C.
According to a notice given in the Catalogue of the British
Gallery os 1836, this picture was painted by order of Sir Peter
Lely in 1665, for Sir Ralph Banks, the ancestor of the present
possessor, who has Berghem’s receipt for the payment; which,
including a frame, amounts to about 30Z. sterling. The picture
would now bring near 800Z.
In the Collection of W. J. Banks, Esq.
41. The Alpine Pass. See description, No. 143, Vol. v.
Sold in 1834 to Sir John Pringle, for 350 gs.; and the following
year it was put up at auction by Mr. H. Phillips, and knocked
down for 325 gs.
Now in the Collection of E. W. Lake, Esq.
42. A Study of the Head of a Sheep of the South Down
breed, in six different positions. Painted on a light ground,
and touched with great neatness and care.
11-g- in. by 9| in.—C.
Sold in the Collection of Lord Charles Townshend, 1835, for 9 gs.
Bought by Messrs. Smith. Now in the possession of Sir M.
White Ridley, Bart.