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ITALIAN SCHOOL. oooooooo RICCIARELLI. oooooooo FRENCH MUSEUM.

DAVID SLAYING GOLIAH.

- Although the history of Goliah is well known, it may not perhaps be amiss just to observe here, that, under the reign of Saul, the Israelites being at war with the Philistines, whilst the two armies were in sight and to avoid the necessity of a battle, a giant named Goliah defied the Israelites to find a warrior amongst them who would meet him in single combat. His lofty stature inspired affright, and all shrunk back from the unequal trial, till the youthful David stepped forth, with no arms but a staff and a sling. The pride of the unwieldy Philistine seemed humiliated to be obliged to fight with a simple shepherd, when a stone struck him in the middle of his forehead and brought him to the ground. David then ran up to the giant and cut off his head with the very sword of his fallen enemy.

This picture was long erroneously attributed to MichaelAnge Buonarotti; it is by Daniel Ricciarelli, more known as Daniel de Volterre, the name of his brith-place. The colours are fine and the design correct. The posture of Goliah presents some peculiarities from the fore-shortenings, which appear multiplied in it to display the painter's skill in rendering them ably.

This picture is painted upon slate, and the other side presents the same subject seen under a different aspect.

Breadth 5 feet 8 inches; height 4 feet 4 inches.

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ÉCOLE FRANÇAISE. cececce LE BRUN. oooooooo MUSÉE FRANÇAIS.

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Les apôtres voyant augmenter le nombre des chrétiens, et voulant ne pas être détournés de la prédication, demandèrent aux fidèles de choisir sept personnes d'une probité et d'une sagesse reconnues, qui seraient chargées de la distribution des aumônes et du soin des tables. Étienne, l'un d'eux, se distingua par ses vertus et par son éloquence, ce qui lui suscita des envieux et des accusateurs auprès des anciens et des scribes.

La manière dont il se défendit irrita le peuple à un point extrême. « Mais Étienne étant rempli du saint esprit, et levant les yeux au ciel, vit la gloire de Dieu et Jésus qui était debout à sa droite; et il dit : Je vois les cieux ouverts, et le fils de l'homme qui est debout à la droite de Dieu. Alors les Juifs poussant de grands cris, et se bouchant les oreilles, se jetèrent sur lui tous ensemble, et ils le lapidèrent.

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Le Brun, dans ce tableau, nous fait bien voir saint Étienne victime de la populace, dont une partie se montre furieuse, et l'autre, tout en n'approuvant pas de semblables excès, ne paraît pas disposée à défendre le malheureux martyr.

Ce tableau a été gravé par Gérard Audran.

Haut., 12 pieds 2 pouces ; larg., 9 pieds 4 pouces.

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FRENCH SCHOOL. ooooooo LE BRUN. 00000000 FRENCH MUSEUM.

STONING OF SAINT STEPHEN.

The apostles perceiving the number of chistians increase, and desiring not to have their attention withdrawn from preaching, required the believers to select seven persons of eminent probity and wisdom, who should be charged with the distribution of alms and superintendence of the tables. Stephen, one of them, was distinguished by his virtues and eloquence, which created him envious accusers before the ancients and scribes..

The manner in which he defended himself irritated the people to the highest degree: « But Stephen, being full of the holy ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said : Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and they stoned him.

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Le Brun, in this picture, ably displays St Stephen victim of the populace, one party of which appears furious, and the other though not approving such extreme cruelty, yet not disposed to defend the unfortunate martyr.

This picture has been engraved by Gerard Audran.
Height 13 feet; breadht 9 feet It inches.

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