i JAN STEEN 17 34. THE ADORATION OF THE SHEPHERDS. In the right foreground sits the Virgin, in profile to the left ; with her right hand she lifts the cloth from the sleeping Christ. A shepherd kneels in prayer before Him. On the left are a white ass with a saddle, skilfully rendered, and the head of an ox. Behind the ass is Joseph, to whom an old woman with a cunning face offers eggs. On the right, behind the Virgin, are a boy, an old woman, and a bagpiper (?). From a door at the back five or six other persons enter. In the centre fore- ground is a big jug, with its cover lying beside it. Signed at the bottom on the right ; canvas, 21 inches by 24^ inches. Sales. Rotterdam, April 25, 1817, No. 82 (46 florins, Lamme). Britten Flee, London, March 25, 1901, No. 40. In the possession of the dealer Schwartz, Vienna, 1902. Now in the collection of Leon Pininsky, Lemberg. 35. THE A.DORATION OF THE SHEPHERDS. In the right foreground is the Virgin with the Child ; before her are the adoring shepherds ; behind her is Joseph. Above, to the left, are troops of angels singing, who resemble the angel in Rembrandt's etching of 1634 ("The Angel appearing to the Shepherds," Bartsch, 44). In the right foreground the painter's two children play with a dog ; to the left, behind the Virgin, are a woman selling eggs and other figures. It is a night-piece ; light radiates from the angels upon the principal group. Canvas on panel, 48^ inches by 42 inches. Now in the cathedral at Leitmeritz, Bohemia. 36. The Adoration of the Shepherds. Numerous shepherds and women surround the Virgin and the Child lying in the manger. Panel, 12^ inches by 16^ inches. Sale. Gruyter, Amsterdam, October 24, 1882, No. 108. 37. The Adoration of the Shepherds. Sm. Suppl. 55 ; W. 104. The Virgin, seen in profile, and wearing a pale red dress and a blue cloak, removes the cloth from the manger in which the Child lies. Behind her are an old woman with a milk-pan and a girl who is lighting the fire. The picture shows traces of Italian influence. Canvas, 24 inches by 27 inches. Exhibited at the British Gallery, 1835. Sales. Jonas Witsen, Amsterdam, March 23, 1717 (100 florins). Amsterdam, 1727 (135 florins). In the collection of Dr. Franks, 1842 (Sm.). 38. The Adoration of the Shepherds. Seven small figures. A weak picture. Signed ; panel, 6^ inches by 8 inches. Collection of the Due d'Arenberg, Brussels, 1859. Catalogue by W. Burger, No. 59 ; since sold. 39. THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT. Apparently genuine. The face of Joseph and the dress of the Virgin are quite in the manner of Jan Steen, so far as a spectator can judge of a picture that is hung high VOL. i c
