DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22424#0154
140
LOED OVERSTONE'S COLLECTION.
Letter III.
wide. These are slightly treated works, some of them only in
chiaroscuro, but clever in composition, and graceful in motive.
THE LARGE DRAWING-ROOM.
Murillo.-—The Virgin in Glory, in a robe of deep crimson,
and mantle of deep blue, holding the Child on her arm. The
head is surrounded by a warm glow; otherwise the background is
dark. On canvas. 3 ft. 4 in. high, 2 ft. 6| in. wide. This is the
piece which was cut by a French officer out of a large picture
formerly belonging to Marshal Soult; a repetition of which, on a
small scale, by the hand of the master, is in Lady Overstone's
Morning Room. The Virgin is, for Murillo, of unusual elevation
of features, and also unusually serious in expression ; at the same
time it is finished with singular care in his warmest and most
dazzling golden tones.
Claude Lorraine.—The Enchanted Castle. A noble edifice,
in the Roman style, rises on the extreme verge of a rock in the
centre of the middle distance, with the sea flowing at its base.
The space from the castle to the foreground presents broken
ground overgrown with bushes, amongst which are a few young
trees. The view extends hence on the left, over rising ground to
the distant hills. On the right rises a beautiful group of trees of
various kinds from a bank. A female figure (styled, in the index
of the Liber Veritatis, Psyche) is seated in a contemplative attitude
on the left of the foreground. Besides this figure there are a stag
and a doe grazing, and a doe leaping. On canvas. 2 ft. 10 in.
high, 5 ft. 0^ in. wide. The highly poetic impression produced by
this picture corresponds entirely with the name given to it. In the
cool keeping we feel the fresh morning breeze. The gradation is
as delicate as the execution is free and light. It was painted in
1664 for the Conestabile Colonna, and passed successively through
the hands of Messrs. Davenant, Chauncey, de Calonne, Walsh
Porter, and Wells, till it reached those of the present owner.
Carlo Dolce.—The Virgin, with her eyes cast up, and a
torch in her raised right hand, is holding the Infant on her lap.
On wood. 3 ft. 1 in. high, 2 ft. 7 in. wide—with blunted corners.
This picture is favourably distinguished from many by the master,
both by the composition, the noble feeling, and conscientious
execution of every part. The head of the Virgin is of beautiful
LOED OVERSTONE'S COLLECTION.
Letter III.
wide. These are slightly treated works, some of them only in
chiaroscuro, but clever in composition, and graceful in motive.
THE LARGE DRAWING-ROOM.
Murillo.-—The Virgin in Glory, in a robe of deep crimson,
and mantle of deep blue, holding the Child on her arm. The
head is surrounded by a warm glow; otherwise the background is
dark. On canvas. 3 ft. 4 in. high, 2 ft. 6| in. wide. This is the
piece which was cut by a French officer out of a large picture
formerly belonging to Marshal Soult; a repetition of which, on a
small scale, by the hand of the master, is in Lady Overstone's
Morning Room. The Virgin is, for Murillo, of unusual elevation
of features, and also unusually serious in expression ; at the same
time it is finished with singular care in his warmest and most
dazzling golden tones.
Claude Lorraine.—The Enchanted Castle. A noble edifice,
in the Roman style, rises on the extreme verge of a rock in the
centre of the middle distance, with the sea flowing at its base.
The space from the castle to the foreground presents broken
ground overgrown with bushes, amongst which are a few young
trees. The view extends hence on the left, over rising ground to
the distant hills. On the right rises a beautiful group of trees of
various kinds from a bank. A female figure (styled, in the index
of the Liber Veritatis, Psyche) is seated in a contemplative attitude
on the left of the foreground. Besides this figure there are a stag
and a doe grazing, and a doe leaping. On canvas. 2 ft. 10 in.
high, 5 ft. 0^ in. wide. The highly poetic impression produced by
this picture corresponds entirely with the name given to it. In the
cool keeping we feel the fresh morning breeze. The gradation is
as delicate as the execution is free and light. It was painted in
1664 for the Conestabile Colonna, and passed successively through
the hands of Messrs. Davenant, Chauncey, de Calonne, Walsh
Porter, and Wells, till it reached those of the present owner.
Carlo Dolce.—The Virgin, with her eyes cast up, and a
torch in her raised right hand, is holding the Infant on her lap.
On wood. 3 ft. 1 in. high, 2 ft. 7 in. wide—with blunted corners.
This picture is favourably distinguished from many by the master,
both by the composition, the noble feeling, and conscientious
execution of every part. The head of the Virgin is of beautiful