26 JAN STEEN SECT. 68. The Concert of St. Cecilia. W. 219. With numerous figures, very carefully executed. 42| inches by 33 inches. Sales. Amsterdam, May 18, 1756, No. 3 (40 florins). Widow of Philip Van Dijk, The Hague, November 26, 1763, No. 6 (70 florins). 69. ST. MICHAEL AND THE SLAIN DRAGON. St. Michael, who has wings and wears a short green doublet, stands on the left, fastening a chain to the body of the slain dragon, which is wound about his left thigh. The saint has his left foot upon a low altar, on which a fire is burning. A stafF rests against the altar ; above it stands a lamp, and in front of it is a knapsack. A fragment. Signed in full on the altar, in the right centre ; panel, 26 inches by 21 1 inches. In the possession of the dealer F. Kleinberger, Paris. Now in the collection of A. Bredius, The Hague. 69*. Laughing Bacchus, holding up a Bunch of Grapes. Canvas. Sale. Amsterdam, August 15, 1825, No. 243 (12 florins 5). 69*. THE GROTTO OF NEPTUNE. A vague mythological scene. Four men are seated at a stone table in a grotto. In the centre is a half-nude deity who, from the seaweed in his hair, is probably Neptune. He has a long white beard and appears to be in a merry mood. A girl standing behind him holds a jug high in the air and pours out wine into his cup. To the right of Neptune sits a man in brownish red clothes with a cap of the same colour ; he is looking to the left. A man sitting in front of the table turns his head also to the left. This man has a yellow- green costume with white sleeves ; his knees are bare; a laurel wreath is on his head ; over his chair hangs a pale blue cloak. To his left sits the fourth man, in a fiery red dress with white turban. Upon the white tablecloth is a dish with a red crab. To the left is the entrance of the grotto, showing a grey sky and the sea. Near the entrance are a bow and quiver, probably belonging to the man with a laurel wreath. Under the table on the right is a large mastiff. On the ground in front is a horn of plenty, from which fruit, pears, grapes, a gourd and other things emerge. In the right background are five nymphs. Two are near a fireplace ; one stirs the fire and the other pours water from a jug into a bowl which stands on the fire. Two others appear to greet with admiring looks a third nymph who brings a plate of fruit. Behind the table is a large round stone pillar upon which are placed vessels j among them a fishing net and a hook are noticeable. Signed in full on the edge of the table; panel, 14^ inches by i8 inches. Probably identical with "The feast of the gods " (520). Formerly in the possession of the dealers Fred. Muller and Company, Amsterdam. Now in the collection of Max Rosefeld, Stuttgart.
