12 JAN STEEN SECT. letter in the other, who enters the room. In the foreground is a dog ; in the background through an archway David is seen upon a terrace. Signed in full on the left ; panel, 14^ inches by 12^ inches. Described by Blanc and Waagen (iii. 477). Sale. J. van Zaanen, The Hague, November 16, 1767, No. 16 (with pendant of " Ascanius and Lucilla " [70], 80 florins). In the Van Slingelandt collection, The Hague (Descamps). In the Griffier Fagel collection (Hoet, ii. 410). This collection was sold at the rooms of P. Coxe, Burrell, and Foster, May 22, 1801 ; the picture fetched $7 : 1 S S - (S m - !58 and Buchanan, "Memoirs of Painting," i. 304, No. 45). Now in the collection of the Marquis of Bute, London, 1884 catalogue by Richter, No. 161. 15. A WOMAN BRINGING A LETTER FROM DAVID TO BATHSHEBA. Bathsheba, dressed in a yellow bodice and red skirt, stands in her bedroom, to the right. Her figure is seen in profile, but her head is turned to the spectator. With a thoughtful air, she holds a letter that an old woman in black has just brought to her. The old woman leans with her left hand upon a crutch, and with her right makes a signi- ficant gesture. In the background to the left is a bed ; in front of it is a chair, with a candlestick and a metal bowl. The hangings are of gilt leather. Through an open door to the right are seen David's palace and gardens. The top of the picture is rounded off. It is delicate in tone and in execution. Signed in full above the door ; panel, 16^ inches by 13 inches. Royal Academy Winter Exhibition, 1878, No. 123. Sales. J. Enschede, Haarlem, May 30, 1786, No. 16; widow of B. de Bosch, Amsterdam, November 3, 1840, No. 102 (50 florins, De Lelie). (Described as a canvas, and " by or after " Jan Steen.) [Compare the picture, measuring 18 inches by 1 5 inches, in the Van Saceghem sale, Brussels, June 2, 1851, No. 60 (2600 francs, De Ron).] In the collection of Lord Powerscourt, at Powerscourt. Now in the gallery of Prince Liechtenstein, Vienna. 16. TAMAR AND AMNON. Sm. 24; W. 203. Tamar is reproaching Amnon, to whom she has been led by a servant. The prince lies in bed, feigning illness. The room is adorned as for a wedding. Signed in full on the left ; oak panel, 25^ inches by 32 inches. Sales. J. H. van Heemskerck, The Hague, March 29, 1770 (size given as 28 inches by 34^ inches), (125 florins, Twent). Etienne Le Roy, Brussels, 1848, No. 190. Neven-Dumont, Cologne, March 17, 1895 (described as " Stratonice and Antiochus "). Now in the collection of the Carstanjen family, Berlin ; exhibited by them at DUsseldorf, 1904, No. 383. 17. ESTHER BEFORE AHASUERUS. Sm. Suppl. 42 ; W. 184. In a sumptuous hall, hung with blue draperies, the fainting Esther is supported by two handmaidens ; she is dressed in white silk and wears a crown. The king in rich robes descends from his throne on the right,
