Page:Hofstede de Groot catalogue raisonné, Volume 1, 1908.djvu/282

 258 GABRIEL METSU SECT. In the foreground are a pair of slippers, a trunk, and other objects. It "closely resembles an etching of the same subject by Rembrandt" (Sm.). Canvas, i6| inches by 13^ inches. Formerly in the Lockhart collection at Rotterdam, which was bought as a whole by Galli in 1824, and exported to Scotland. In the Allen collection, Edinburgh, in 1842 (Sm.). 7. THE WIDOW'S MITE. Sm. Suppl. 20. In the right fore- ground the widow kneels in prayer before the offertory box, into which she drops her mite with her left hand. To her left, in the centre of the foreground, stands her son, looking up with tears in his eyes. In the left foreground a man, with a cap, stands with his back to the spectator ; he presses his hand to his side and converses with a temple attendant, bearing a golden cup on his right shoulder, who stands before him and points with his left hand to the widow. In the middle distance steps lead to a plat- form, upon which stands Christ conversing with scribes and others ; all of them look at the widow. In the background is a high priest in episcopal robes. This picture, painted under the influence of Rembrandt, recalls the picture at Strassburg (8). "This is a dark picture, and far from being a desirable work of the master" (Sm.). Signed upon the offertory box, " G. Metsv F." ; canvas on panel, 32 inches by 25^ inches. Catalogued in the Duke of Mecklenburg's collection in 1792 and 1821. Now in the Picture Gallery, Schwerin, 1882 catalogue, No. 656. 8. THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS. The glutton's feast is set out on an upper terrace ; at the foot of the marble steps leading to it Lazarus lies on a pallet. A maid-servant, dressed in yellow silk, descends the steps. A man-servant shakes the crumbs from the table-cloth over the balustrade ; this figure has been altered from an indecent attitude, and the table-cloth has been added. Signed in the right-hand bottom corner " G. Metsu " ; canvas, 29 inches by 24 inches. Purchased by Dr. W. Bode in London. Now in the Picture Gallery at Strassburg, 1899 catalogue, No. 125. 9. CHRIST AND THE WOMAN TAKEN IN ADUL- TERY. Sm. 63. Christ stands in the centre, writing the Gospel account in Latin on the ground. An old man with spectacles reads what is written. Behind him is the adulteress weeping ; a high priest shows her the text of the law, and a soldier holds her fast by the dress. In the left foreground a scribe in red, with his back to the spectator, ascends the steps of the Temple, carrying a book under his arm. On the extreme right a soldier leans against a pillar. The picture has some fine passages of light and colour, but is unpleasant as a whole. The figures are too large for the painter, and the subject does not suit him. " This picture is a convincing proof of the incapacity of this otherwise excellent artist for the highest branch of the art" (Sm.). Signed in full, and dated 1653 5 canvas, 54 inches by 65! inches. Now in the Louvre, 1900 catalogue, No. 2457 (formerly No. 291); it was in the Louvre in 1816.