OF THE PAINTINGS ANCIENT AND MODERN, BELONGING TO THE DETROIT MUSEUM OF ART COMPILED BY JAMES E. SCRIPPS. DETROIT: John F. Eby & Co., Printers. 1895. PREFACE. It is the purpose of the Trustees of the Detroit Museum of Art to issue a series of handbooks explanatory of the objects on exhibition in the various galleries of the Museum. The handbook to the pictures herewith presented is the first of the series, and it is to be shortly followed by one on the Japanese collection, and that in turn by others. In the following catalogue the pictures are separated into two classes-old masters, or pictures painted before the beginning of the 19th century, and modern pictures, which include those painted since A. D. 1800. With the exception of the first picture in the catalogue, which is given prominence as the first work of art acquired by the Detroit Museum and from its having been a gift from Pope Leo XIII., the old masters are arranged in chronological order, as they appeared in a former catalogue issued in 1889. The modern pictures, with the exception of the great and famous work of Rembrandt Peale, are arranged by the artists' names in their alphabetical order. It is believed that by a careful study of this catalogue in connection with the pictures the educational value of the Museum will be greatly enhanced. In order to encourage this the price of the catalogue has been put at the small sum of ten cents. Detroit, October 10, 1895. J. E. S. OLD MASTERS. SCHOOL OF NORTHERN ITALY OF THE 16th CENTURY. Painter unknown. I The Spiritual Betrothal of St. Catherine of Alexandria with the Infant Jesus; representing symbolically the mystic union between Christ and the Church. In the center sits the Blessed Virgin in a light red tunic and blue mantle, facing to the right, with her right hand uplifted, while with her left she holds the Infant Jesus, seated on a cushion, upon her lap. The latter is nude but for a veil lightly thrown over his left shoulder. In his right hand he holds a ring. St. Catherine, in a rich robe and coronet of pearls, stands or kneels at the right with bowed head. She presents her right hand to the Savior, her left being pressed to her breast. Behind her stands St. Joseph in meditation, leaning upon his staff. At the left of the Virgin stands St. Anthony of Padua, in the brown garb of the Franciscan order, the nimbus about his head, and a bunch of lilies in his hand. St. Catherine, according to the legend, was an Egyptian princess of great beauty and learning who lived in the third century. When 14 years of age, by the death of her father, she became queen. Being pressed to marry she set her heart on the highest perfection to be found in a husband. At this juncture a hermit gave her a picture of the Blessed Virgin and her Son, for the latter of whom she was immediately filled with love. Later she dreamed that she was espoused to the Savior, and on awaking in the morning found upon her finger a betrothal ring. She suffered martyrdom in A. D. 307. St. Anthony of Padua was born in Portugal and joined the Franciscan order during the life-time of its founder. He was a young man of great learning and eloquence. He |