ANOTHER COREGGIO.
THE COREGGIO "Magdalen," which was lately exhibited in Pall Mull, has been disposed of to a devotee who keeps it for his own private wor- ship exclusively. A small " Holy Family —a circular group composed of the heads of the Virgin, with the infant Christ and St. Catherine, from the " St. Jerome" of the same master—now occupies the place of the departed Magdalen. It is an exquisite work, in point of expression, finished execution, and brilliancy of tone; but whether a replica painted by Cousxsoso himself, or a fine copy, were we called upon to give an opinion we could not venture to decide, not leaving seen the original. The account given of it by its present proprietor is, that about thirty years ago it was purchased at a convent near Parma for 1,200/., by a gentleman who took a fancy to the picture, and kept it for his own gra- tification, never caring to inquire into its pedigree. It has been ascer- tained, in the process of relining it, that it. was originally painted or panel, on a white ground—which presumptive proof is in its favour
But our concern is not with the authenticity, but the beauty of the picture. The Virgin bolding the infant Jesus in her arms casts down upon
him a look of maternal tenderness and affection ; while St. Catherine, bending forward, clasps one of his little feet with her hand, and fondly presses her cheek against the softly-rounded limb. The grace of the composition and the sweetness of the sentiment are inc Table. The colouring is remarkably pure : the hues are intense, and the tints transparent; but they are not blended so artfully as we should ex- pectin a work of COREGGIO, and the surface is smooth and hard : the h' ht, which is composed of the mass of flesh-tints formed by the body light,
of the infant and the faces and hands of the women, is broad and lumi- nous; the shadows being extremely tender and delicate. In short, it is a most fascinating picture, and very highly wrought, whoever painted it. In the room is a female head, painted in fresco, which, having been
detached from the wall it adorned in the Ricciardi Palace, claims to be regarded as undoubtedly the work of Cour:cam The countenance is of angelic loveliness, the eyes beam with celestial light, and a smile radiant with sweetness suffuses the cheeks. The 4, Coreggio Gallery " also contains a splendid R CRESS, a replica of the famous picture over his tomb at Antwerp. It has many of the characteristics that belong to the handling of RunENs, especially in the St. George and the female figure in black drapery ; but only those who have seen the original are competent to speak to its authenticity. The Sacrifice qf Raw, by REmBRANDT—Jupiter Blessing Cupid, front the design of RAFFAELLE—a landscape by CLICDE, and other tine pictures-are also worthy of attention.
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