SPANISH SCHOOL. 000000 COELLO.

MADRID MUSEUM.

THE HOLY FAMILY,

AND SAINT LOUIS.

In this picture of Coello, we may remark great practice, a free pencil, good taste as to colour, and a clearness of obscure objects, that produces an effect extremely agreeable; the composition is well arranged, but we cannot help observing, that the painter has rather outraged probability, in assigning to the king saint Louis, a dress similar to that which might have been given with propriety to king Louis the thirteenth.

The pious monarch inclining himself towards the infant Jesus, has placed his sceptre and crown on the ground, presenting the crown of thorns and the nails, the reward of his conquest of the Holy-Land.

The infant Jesus receives a basket of fruits which is presented to him by a saint to whom the name of Isabel is given, it is impossible to know what has given rise to such an opinion, it would appear more natural to find the name of saint Elizabeth here, sufficiently characterised by the situation she occupies near the Virgin, and by her face, which is that of a woman advanced in age.

This picture formed part of the Museum of Madrid, and has been engraved on stone by.

Breadth 9 feet 15 inches; height 9 feet.