FRENCH MUSEUM. ****** POUSSIN. ***** PRIV. COLLECTION. THE CONTINENCE OF SCIPIO. Publius Cornelius Scipio, commonly called Scipio Africanus, had the glory of reducing Carthage under the Roman power, by the defeat of Hannibal, in the year 202 before Christ. This illustrious Captain was sent, at the age of twenty four, to command in Spain; of which he completed the conquest in less than four years, and took Carthagena in a single day. Among the prisoners brought before him on that occasion, was a young lady of extraordinary beauty. On learning that she was affianced to Allutius, Prince of the Celtiberians, he sent for her betrothed husband, and restored her untouched, adding her ransom to her dowry. This generosity won the heart of the Spanish Prince; who soon convinced his subjects of the expediency of submitting to a conqueror, who united such singular modesty with so great liberality. This piece must have been composed soon after Poussin's arrival in Rome, as the figures are destitute of the just expression, commonly observed in his works. The attitude of Allutius, particularly, is wanting in nobleness; and his bride appears to take too little interest in a scene, which must naturally have excited in her breast the liveliest transports of gratitude and admiration. This picture formerly belonged to M. de Merville, and was afterwards in Sir Robert Walpole's collection, at HoughtonHouse. At his death, it was purchased for 1200 pounds (30,000 francs), by the Emperess of Russia, and is now in the Hermitage, at St. Petersburg. It was engraved by Legat, in 1784. Width, 5 feet 1 inch; height, 3 feet 9 inches. FRENCH MUSEUM. ****** POUSSIN. oooses PRIV. COLLECTION. Publius Cornelius Scipio, commonly called Scipio Africanus, had the glory of reducing Carthage under the Roman power, by the defeat of Hannibal, in the year 202 before Christ. This illustrious Captain was sent, at the age of twenty four, to command in Spain; of which he completed the conquest in less than four years, and took Carthagena in a single day. Among the prisoners brought before him on that occasion, was a young lady of extraordinary beauty. On learning that she was affianced to Allutius, Prince of the Celtiberians, he sent for her betrothed husband, and restored her untouched, adding her ransom to her dowry. This generosity won the heart of the Spanish Prince; who soon convinced his subjects of the expediency of submitting to a conqueror, who united such singular modesty with so great liberality. This piece must have been composed soon after Poussin's arrival in Rome, as the figures are destitute of the just expression, commonly observed in his works. The attitude of Allutius, particularly, is wanting in nobleness; and his bride appears to take too little interest in a scene, which must naturally have excited in her breast the liveliest transports of gratitude and admiration. This picture formerly belonged to M. de Merville, and was afterwards in Sir Robert Walpole's collection, at HoughtonHouse. At his death, it was purchased for 1200 pounds (30,000 francs), by the Emperess of Russia, and is now in the Hermitage, at St. Petersburg. It was engraved hy Legat, in 1784. Width, 5 feet 1 inch; height, 3 feet 9 inches. |