Page:Hofstede de Groot catalogue raisonné, Volume 1, 1908.djvu/143

 i JAN STEEN 119 just been confined of twins. The husband, who has complained of the double birth, listens with bowed head to the reproaches of his parents. Panel, i6 inches by 14^ inches. Sale. P. J. de Marneffe, Brussels, May 24, 1830, No. 286. 451. The Christening. A small picture with numerous figures. It is delicate in tone, and has great vitality in expression. In the collection of H. A. J. Munro, London, when seen by Waagen (ii. 138), but not in the Munro sale of 1878. 452. A COMPANY AT A LYING-IN. Several persons stand or sit round a table covered with a blue cloth, upon which is a large cake. To the right sits a laughing woman, who pours out wine for herself from a jug which she raises high in her right hand. To the left an old woman converses with a young woman whose back is turned to the spectator. In the centre behind the table stands the father, holding the infant with his right hand, and feeling in his pocket with the other hand for money to give to a nurse, who stands to his right and lays her hand on his shoulder. The mother lies in bed at the back, attended by two women. In 'the background to the right is a passage with two other guests and a broom. On the floor are various objects. Signed in full on the right ; canvas, 23^ inches by 29 inches. Possibly the picture of the Seger Tierens' sale (448^). Sale. Madame Duval, Paris, November 28, 1904, No. 14. 453. A SCENE BEFORE A COTTAGE. Probably prepara- tions for a funeral feast. Sm. 168 ; W. 193 and 417. At the door of a cottage stands a man reading the names of the guests. Various persons wear long black cloaks. In the centre is a child wrapped in a cloak, to whom an old woman is attending. At the side is a table with bread and meat upon it. In an arbour a person is cutting up a cake. One of the guests comes out of the house ; two others come from a small side-door. It is a good picture. Panel, 14 inches by 16 inches. Probably identical with 45 3^. Exhibited in Brussels, 1855 and 1882, No. 230. Sales. F. Drabbe, Leyden, April I, 1743 (Hoet, ii. 77), No. 25 (105 florins). J. Alenzoon and others, Leyden, May 10, 1774. In the collection of the Prince d'Arenberg, Brussels, 1833 (Sm.). In the collection of G. Couteaux, Brussels, 1855. Sale. G. Ruelens, Brussels, April 17, 1883, No. 256. Now in the Rutten collection, Liege. 45 3. A Quaker Funeral. Described by Houbraken (iii. 1 8) ; see C. Hofstede de Groot, " Quellen- studien," p. 168. 454. A VILLAGE WEDDING. Sm. 174; W. 8. The bride, who holds down her head with a modest air, sits to the right at a table.