While Poussin was thus pursuing his studies at Rome, he was left by the
death of his friend Marino, in a state of extreme distress, and was
obliged to dispose of his paintings at the most paltry prices, to
procure the necessaries of life. Filibien says that he sold the two
fine battle-pieces which were afterwards in the collection of the Duke
de Noailles for seven crowns each, and a picture of a Prophet for eight
livres. His celebrated picture of "the Ark of God among the Philistines"
brought him but sixty crowns; the original purchaser sold it not long
afterwards to the Duc de Richelieu for one thousand crowns!