5 io PIETER DE HOOCH SECT. there hangs on the wall a large picture, apparently an " Adoration of the Shepherds." To the right an open door shows a vestibule, and a second door leading into a sunlit room. It is an early work, that was once fine, but has suffered by overcleaning. In types and colouring it resembles the picture at Waddesdon (308). The anatomy of the figures is weak. The face of the principal figure is quite spoiled. Signed in the left bottom corner " P. d'hooch " ; canvas, 28^ inches by 26| inches. Sale. Amsterdam, May 7, 1804, No. 73 (181 florins). Formerly in the collection of Consul West ; described as No. 54 in the Raisonneret Catalog ever Consul West's Samling of Malerier, Copenhagen, 1807, PP- 95-97-. Now in the Copenhagen Museum, No. 150 in the 1904 catalogue by K. Madsen ; it was in the Christianberg Palace, Copenhagen, in 1842 (Sm.). 125. THE MUSIC -PARTY. De G. 32. Five persons are assembled in a handsomely furnished room. The floor is paved with tiles, and the room is adorned with pilasters and with pictures let into the wall. In the middle is a girl, dressed in light green and white satin, who faces right ; she plays a violoncello, which rests upon a carved stool. On the left, facing her, sits another girl in a pale green dress with pink ribbons and a pale yellow skirt j she sings from a music-book in her lap, and holds up her right hand. Behind her chair stands a gentleman in a brown costume with a broad-brimmed hat trimmed with red ; he looks over her shoulder at the music. To the left is an open window, with a curtain. To the right at a table sits a gentleman in black with his legs crossed ; he plays a violin and glances at the 'cello-player. An oriental carpet hangs down from the table, and at its foot lies a spotted and shaggy- haired little dog. A servant-girl comes behind the gentleman with a bowl of oranges. To the right an open door, above which hangs a picture, shows two other rooms, through which are seen a garden and a pair of lovers. Signed on the right above the door, " P. d. Hoogh " ; canvas, 36^ inches by 42! inches. According to K. Madsen, it was purchased in Amsterdam in 1687 (for 70 florins) ; see Hoet, i. 6, No. 19. According to Ramdohr, Studien, p. 237, it was at Fredensborg at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Now in the Copenhagen Museum, No. 151 in the 1904 catalogue by K. Madsen. 126. THE MUSIC-PARTY. De G. 34. On the left in a large hall, the left-hand portion of which is represented, sit three persons at a table covered with an Ispahan carpet, upon which are some oranges. One gentleman plays the 'cello, another the flute, while a lady sings. The flute-player sits on the extreme left behind the table, wearing a slouch hat. The 'cello-player sits to the right of the table, in full view of the spectator ; he has long curls, and wears knee-breeches and a pink doublet with slashed sleeves over a white shirt with broad cuffs. He raises a glass with his left hand and holds his bow with his right. He looks at the lady sitting at
