_At the Town Hall._
The opening of the picture gallery took place on the same day (4th july
1809), as that of the library. The greater part of the paintings have
been collected in the departement. The government has also assisted in
enriching it, by giving several paintings of different schools, the
municipal council by voting different acquisitions, and some private
persons, by voluntary gifts. This interesting collection is composed of
about three hundred paintings, amongst which we remark _a Virgin in the
midst of Angels_, called _the Virgin of Saint-Sixte_, by Raphael, an
admirable copy, if not a second original of the picture known under the
same name in the gallery of Dresden; also three small paintings, placed
next to each other, and which are incontestably by that great painter
and in his best style; the Van Eyck representing _the Virgin in the
midst of young girls; a mass during the league_, a painting which is
curious on account of the subject and great personnages which it
represents; _a Conversion of saint Matthew_, by Valentin; _a saint
Francis in prayer_, by Hannibal Carrache; _an Ecce Homo_ and a copy of
the _Holy family_, by Mignard; _a death of saint Francis_, by Jouvenet;
several marines, by Vernet; _a descent from the Cross_, by Lahire; _the
plague of Milan_, by Lemonnier, of Rouen; and a great many others, which
it would require too much room to mention here. At the extremity of the
entrance gallery, we remark a statue of baked clay by Caffiery[22],
representing Pierre Corneille. Several marble statues and plaster castes
of the finest ancient statues, are placed in the room at the extremity
of this gallery. The statues which we observe in the lobby are those of
general Bonchamps, by David, and opposite, that of Achilles, by Bougron.
The latter belongs to the academy, which possesses also the magnificent
painting by Mr Court, representing _Corneille complimented in the
theatre by the great Conde_ and the fine _portrait of Boieldieu_, by Mr
Boullenger de Boisfremont. These two paintings are placed in the hall of
the academy, adjoining that of the library and picture gallery;
strangers are permitted to see them.
During the month of July, there is an exhibition of paintings,
principally by artists of Rouen.
The establishment is open to the public on sundays and thursdays, and
every day to painters and strangers, from ten till four o'clock.
The present keeper is M.H. Bellange.
[Footnote 22: Another statue of Corneille, in marble, is placed in the
large hall on the ground floor; it is a much esteemed work of Cortot, a
french sculptor.]