296 GABRIEL METSU SECT. trimmed with ermine, and a white silk skirt, sits to the right at a table with a guitar in her lap. On the other side of the table sits a well- dressed man, wearing a buff jacket with wide embroidered sleeves, a red scarf, blue hose and white stockings ; he has a wine-glass in his left hand, and bows to the lady with whom he is engaged in animated conversation. On the table covered with an Oriental carpet are a silver dish and a gold goblet. At the back of the man's chair is a spaniel. In the background a blue ensign stands against the hearth. " A superlative production " (Sm.). Signed in full on the threshold of the door; panel, i8i inches by 1 6 inches. Exhibited at the Royal Academy Winter Exhibition, 1880, No. 74. In the Van Loon collection, Amsterdam, 1826-42 (Sm.). In the collection of Ferdinand de Rothschild, London. Now in the collection of E. de Rothschild, Paris. 149. THE DUET (or, " Le Corsage bleu "). Sm. 8. A young lady, wearing a blue jacket trimmed with ermine and a white silk skirt trimmed with gold lace, sits on the right, slightly turning to the left. She holds a music-book and appears to be singing. To the left and somewhat farther back a man sits at a table, tuning a guitar ; he has his back to the spectator and turns his head towards the lady. The table is partly covered with an Oriental carpet ; on it is a wine-glass. A little dog in the left foreground barks at his mistress. In the right background is a chimney- piece supported on pillars. "The elegance and taste displayed in the drawing, colouring, execution, and sentiment of this picture render it a bijou of uncommon beauty and value." Signed on the music-book; panel, 15^ inches by n| inches. A pendant to 97, " A Lady with a Dog ; or, Le Corsage rouge." Described by Waagen (ii. 246). [A copy or " duplicate " which Sm. thought " of very inferior quality " is at Buckingham Palace, 1885 catalogue, No. 19 ; it was described by Waagen (ii. 7) and exhibited at the British Gallery, 1826, and at the Royal Academy Winter Exhibition, 1885, No. 109. A picture of the same subject was in Mrs. Gordon's collection (Sm.) and sold in 1808 (76 : 135.).] Exhibited at the British Gallery, 1815, and at the Royal Academy Winter Exhibition, 1878, No. 119. Sales. Randon de Boisset, Paris, February 3, 1777, No. 8 1 (12,900 francs, with pendant). Destouches, Paris, March 21, 1794 (8161 francs). Wattier, Paris, 1797 (6900 francs, with pendant). Robit, Paris, May 21, 1801 (8120 francs). G. Hibbert, London, 1829 (560). In the collection of Joseph Neeld, Grittleton House, 1833 (Sm.). Sold between 1878 and 1885 to Alfred de Rothschild, London, according to the Buckingham Palace catalogue. 150. A Study for " Le Corsage bleu." See above (149). 16 inches by n| inches. In the collection of the Marquess of Camden. Sale. E. W. Lake, London, May 6, 1842 (35 : 145., Chatfield).
