DUTCH SCHOOL. ***** VANDER WERF...PRIV. GOLLECTION.

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ABISHAG PRESENTED TO DAVID.

King David being « old and and stricken in years, » was so chilled that he could get no heat, D « Wherefore his servants said unto him, let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin; and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunamite, and brought her to the king.

heat. So they sought for a

»

This picture is finished with great care; the colours of the drapery are brilliant, and the chiaro-oscuro is vigorous; but the flesh is too polished, which renders it cold.

From the possession of the Duke of Chandos, this work passed into that that of Sir Robert Walpole, at Houghton, when a very fine mezzo-tinto engraving of it was executed by Richard Earlom : at the sale of Walpole's pictures, it was disposed of for upwards of 680 pounds (17,000 francs).

Height, 2 feet 9 inches; width, 2 feet 2 inches.