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JUDITH WITH THE HEAD OF HOLOFERNES.

green, with a gold fringe. All the accessaries are well imagined; but the touch in them is somewhat heavier than in that of the carnations. The chiaro-scuro is well conceived. This picture was taken from the palace Pitti, at Florence. The figures are of the natural size.

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THE MARRIAGE AT CANA.

C. LE BRUN.

THE subject of this picture will be found in the Evangelist St. Luke, chap. vii. verse 36.

This incident has been treated by various painters before Le Brun; but they never attempted to surmount the difficulties that presented themselves. Le Brun, on the contrary, by placing the table in perspective, has had the address to avoid this obstacle, and his principal figures occupy the centre of the composition. But he appears not to be sensible of the advantages which might have resulted from this arrangement. The general disposition is somewhat confused, and the figure of Simon not sufficiently visible. The slave on the foreground, who raises a species of casket, is one of those insignificant accessaries which Le Brun has introduced into the greater part of his works, and which are rarely rendered supportable by the merit of the execution. In short, the personages occupying the background are not joined with sufficient art to those who fill the front of the picture. Such are the defects that the several defamers of Le Brun might point out in this composition, which in other respects exhibits beauties of the first order.

The figure of the female sinner, and that of Jesus. Christ, are drawn with peculiar dignity; the latter pre

sents a noble attitude, and is full of expression. The head of the female evinces a feature of repentance and mildness perfectly correspondent to the subject. This figure is likewise attired with much taste.

This production, one of the best of Le Brun, was produced at a time when he endeavoured to vie with the compositions of Poussin. The colouring, although somewhat heavy, has considerable harmony.

The height of the picture is twelve feet; it is about ten broad.

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