CATALOGUE, &c. No. 1. FRANCESCO GESSI. THE MADONNA. In the New Gallery. THIS Artist was the scholar of Guido, whose style he imitated with such success, that he excited his jealousy. His best works are "the Assumption," in the church of La Mort de Bologna; "the Martyrdom of Sta. Caterina," and his "S. Francesco," at the Nunziata. The Pictures of "S. Carlo," in the church of La Compagnia de' Poveri, and the "Descent of the Holy Ghost," at the Capuccini, although highly esteemed, do not, like his other works, bear much resemblance to the pictures of his master. As he advanced in life, he declined into the languor and coldness of a mannerist; and, in proportion as his works were produced without effort, they ceased to be the objects of admiration. On Canvass. 2 feet 24 inches in height, by 1 foot 84 inches in width. No. 2. BALDASSARE PERUZZI. THE WISE MEN'S OFFERING. From the Orleans Collection. In the New Gallery. THE cabinet Pictures of this Artist are very scarce. He was distinguished for Perspective and Architectural Views, which he executed with great fidelity and precision, and with such management of the chiar-oscuro, that they had the appearance of perfect illusion. The exteriors of many of the palaces of Rome were by him ornamented with representations of Sacrifices, Bacchanalian subjects, Battles, &c. &c. He is reported to have received instructions in perspective from Bramante, the friend of Raphael. The life of Peruzzi was clouded by misfortunes; and although modest and unassuming in his conduct, he was insulted by those who were in happier circumstances than himself; but notwithstanding the indignities he was doomed to suffer, nothing could detach him from his professional pursuits. He is said to have perished by poison, administered by the jealousy of a rival, and he was buried in the Rotunda, near the tomb of Raphael. On Wood. 1 foot 4 inches in height, by 1 foot 8 inches in width. No. 3. SCARCELLINO DE FERRARA. CHRIST WITH HIS DISCIPLES AT EMMAUS. From the Orleans Collection. In the New Gallery. The subject of this Picture is taken from the 24th Chapter of St. Luke. This Artist was a disciple of Giacomo Bassano of Venice, although he afterwards became enamoured of the works of Paolo Veronese, of whose manner he was a successful imitator. His best Pictures are to be found in the churches and public edifices of Ferrara, where his talents were held in the highest estimation. On Canvass. 2 feet 24 inches in height, by 2 feet inch in width. ANNIBAL CARRACHE. DANAE. De la Collection d'Orleans. Dans la Nouvelle Galerie. L'histoire fabuleuse d'où le sujet de ce tableau a été pris, raconte qu'Acrisius, roi d'Argos, ayant été prevenu par l'Oracle qu'il périroit par la main de son petit-fils, renferma sa fille dans une tour d'airain, pour la soustraire à toute société, mais que Jupiter, dont on connoit bien les espiègleries et les galanteries, y pénétra par le toît, et se présenta à la Princesse sous la forme d'une pluie d'or, ce qui amena, dans la suite, l'accomplissement de l'Oracle. Sur Toile. Hauteur, 5 pieds 7 pouces. Largeur, 9 pieds 9 pouces. No. 5. ANNIBAL CARRACHE. SAINT GREGOIRE A SES DEVOTIONS. Dans la Nouvelle Galerie. Ce tableau appartenoit autrefois à l'autel de l'église de Saint Gregoire à Rome : il fut apporté en Angleterre il y a vingt-cinq ans, par Messieurs Day et Cammuccini, et vendu à Milord Radstock. On le compte parmi les plus beaux ouvrages de l'artiste, qui le fit dans le tems où la réputation de ses élèves, Guido et Le Dominiquin étoit à son comble. Ce circonstance l'engagea à faire tous ses efforts, pour que sa réputation n'éprouvât pas de diminution par la comparaison. Une belle estampe d'après ce tableau a été gravée par Giacomo Frey. Sur Bois. Hauteur, 8 pieds 8 pouces. Largeur, 5 pieds pouce. No. 6. LOUIS CARRACHE. JESU CHRIST MORT, AVEC LES MARIES ET S. JEAN. De la Collection d'Orleans. Autrefois dans la possession du Duc de Modène. . Ce tableau est regardé comme un chef-d'œuvre de ce maître. Les émotions de sympathie et de tristesse sont puissamment excitées par cette représentation, et l'effet du crépuscule, qui caractérise les tableaux de Louis Carrache, ajoute encore à la solemnité de cette scène grande et attendrissante. Sur Toile. Hauteur, 7 pieds 9 pouces. Largeur, 5 pieds 13 pouce. No. 4. ANNIBALE CARRACCI. DANAE. From the Orleans Collection. In the New Gallery. The fabulous story from which this subject is taken, relates, that Acrisius, king of Argos, having been warned by an Oracle, that he would be put to death by a grand-child, confined his daughter in a brazen tower, to preserve her from the society of man,-but that Jupiter, whose vagaries and gallantries are well known, passed through the roof of the tower, and introduced himself to the Princess under the form of a shower of gold, which led to the accomplishment of the oracle. On Canvass. 5 feet 7 inches in height, by 9 feet 3 inches in width. No. 5. ANNIBALE CARRACCI. SAINT GREGORY AT HIS DEVOTIONS. In the New Gallery. This picture was formerly the altar-piece of the church of St. Gregory, at Rome, and was brought to this country by Messrs. Day and Cammuccini, who sold it to Lord Radstock, about twenty-five years since. It is considered to be one of the finest productions of the Master, and was painted when the reputation of Annibale's pupils, Guido and Domenichino, was at its height. This last consideration tended to stimulate his exertions, that he might not suffer in the estimation of the public by a comparison. A fine print was engraved from this picture by Giacomo Frey. On Wood. 8 feet 8 inches in height, by 5 feet inch in width. No. 6. LODOVICO CARRACCI. THE DEAD CHRIST, WITH THE MARIES AND ST. JOHN. From the Orleans Collection: formerly the property of the Duke of Modena. In the New Gallery. This picture is considered to be a chef-d'œuvre of the master. The emotions of sympathy and sorrow are powerfully excited by the representation; and the effect of twilight, for which the pictures of Lodovico are remarkable, adds solemnity to this awful and affecting scene. On Canvass. 7 feet 9 inches in height, by 5 feet 1 inch in width. |