James Callot (French: 1593-1635).
"A curious and fantastic composition (in Indian ink), by a celebrated engraver and draughtsman, in which it would seem that the artist intended to satirise the ecclesiastic factions rife in France during the minority of Louis XIII. Under the vault of a huge cave, round the upper part of which evil spirits and harpies are sporting, several figures are grouped. In the centre of the foreground two Jesuits are derided by demons. On the right, Cerberus, chained to a rock, guards the entrance to Hell, while an armed warrior (Louis XIII.) stands near with his back to the spectator. On the left is Death, surrounded by his victims and the Vices. In the middle distance Charon is crossing the Styx with his boat full of passengers, whom a crowd on the shore vainly endeavour to join. Beyond are represented the tortures of the condemned, among whom Ixion, Tityus, the Danaides, and other mythological personages are conspicuous. The armorial bearings introduced on the lower edge of the drawing are supposed to be those of M. de Boyer of Baudot, who is said to have suggested the design" (Director's Report, 1884). The artist's independence of character is recorded in a familiar anecdote. He was witness to the siege and capitulation of his native town, Nancy, in 1633, and the French king called on him to engrave a plate commemorative of the occurrence. When he declined, some of the courtiers are said to have remarked to the artist that there were means to make him comply. He replied that he would sooner cut off his right hand than employ it in such a work; a speech which, being reported to the king, led him to say that the Dukes of Lorraine were fortunate in the possession of such subjects.
2758. A SQUALL FROM THE WEST.
Louis Eugène Boudin (French: 1825-1898). See 2078.
2759. STORMY LANDSCAPE.
George Michel (French: 1763-1843). See 2258.
2764. A FAMILY GROUP.
Ascribed to Jan Vermeer (Dutch: 1632-1675).
This picture once formed part of No. 1699; the right arm of the seated child and the tablecloth here are continued there.