No. 3.

RUBENS.

HOLY FAMILY.

Rubens may truly be said to have been an universal Painter; and with such felicity of execution, that it is difficult to decide in which branch he most excelled.

In his own country, his productions are numerous beyond all precedent; the city of Antwerp alone containing thirty-six of his Historical Pictures; while France, Italy, and England, abound with his works.

The crowned heads of Europe seemed to vie with each other in patronising him; and he was enabled to build a magnificent house at Antwerp, which he enriched with the finest works of art he could procure; and giving way to the suggestions of a liberal mind, he not only became a beneficent patron of contemporary merit, but lived in a style of magnificence and splendour, suitable to the honours which had been conferred upon him, and to his birth, education, and talents.

No. 4.

TITIAN.

VENUS AND ADONIS.

This Picture, of which there are many repetitions, particularly the fine one in the Collection of J. J. Angerstein, Esq., was for many years in the possession of Mr. West, the late President of the Royal Academy, who considered it as one of the most perfect and beautiful works of the Master.

This eminent artist received the honour of Knighthood from the Emperor Charles the fifth. The achievements in which that great warrior and politician was engaged, did not divert his mind from the pursuits of art; and during the intervals of peace, he appears to have been fully sensible of the merits of Titian, whom he treated not only with the distinction suitable to his great talents, but with the intimacy and affection of a friend. Many instances of the Emperor's partiality are upon record. Titian painted three portraits of Charles, who declared, that he valued himself less on the kingdoms he had conquered, than on having been thrice immortalized by the hand of Titian. The Emperor once took up a pencil which had fallen from the hand of the Artist, while he was sitting for his Portrait; and upon Titian expressing his sense of the honour conferred upon him, he replied—that Titian had merited to be served by Cæsar. His works were so universally esteemed, that he was continually receiving splendid presents and tokens of friendship from the most illustrious and eminent characters of every country.

The prevailing weakness in Titian's character was jealousy. Influenced by this mean passion, he expelled Tintoretto from his school: but his conduct had the effect of raising that artist in public estimation in the same degree that it diminished the character of his master.

Titian became a victim to the plague at the extraordinary age of ninety-nine.