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This picture does not represent the two blind men of Jericho, but rather those whom Jesus-Christ cured at Capernaum; the reason for our making this observation is, that when Christ performed this latter miracle he had with him only Peter, James and John, while at Jericho he was accompanied by the twelve apostles. In the last case it is said that he was leaving Jericho, but, at Capernaum it is stated, that he was coming home; and in this picture Christ appears rather to be arriving than departing. These blind men, already aware of Christ's power, were anxious to show the confidence they placed in him by saying: Have pity upon us thou son of David. They are both upon their knees, the man he is touching appears already to have benefited by it, the other seems to fear the delay of that happiness, of which his faith will not permit him to doubt. Jesus-Christ in touching the eyes of the blind man is convinced that the miracle will be accomplished, and imagination heas him pronounce the word effeta.

Poussin painted this picture at the age of 56, for M. Reynou, a merchant of Lyons; it passed into the cabinet of the duke de Richelieu, nephew to the cardinal, and has since come into the possession of the king. The composition and the expression deserve the greatest praise, but the execution does not correspond with the grandeur of the idea. The picture was the subject of the seventh assembly of the Academy, on the 3d of december 1667, two years after the death of Poussin. It has been engraved by Chasteau, Picart the Roman, and L. Audran. Breadth, 5 feet 6 inches; height, 3 feet 8 inches.

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pead up, licu a quelques critiques.

I. 3 17 pieds: haut., 10 pieds a ponces.