There has been great activity recently at the National Gallery,
for the hanging of the several new acquisitions has involved a partial rearrangement of Rooms XV., XVIII. and XX. It is always disconcerting to find pictures in new places, but on the whole the rehanging is an improvement. We regret the inferior position now given to the Bruegel, Adoration of the Magi ; and where is the delightful Patinir landscape ? We hope it is not permanently " cellared." The Madonna with St. Catherine and St. Pelagia„ by the rare Flemish painter, Quinten Massys (No. 3,664), is the most important new picture in Room XV. It is the gift of Mr. Charles Clarke. This tempera painting on canvas is of a peculiarly delicate charm, with its pale colouring and restful composition. It is in very bad condition. Massys's Crucifixion is hung next to it and affords an interesting contrast to this flat arabesque. The more important of the remaining pictures we have previously mentioned, the French Primitive of The Trinity in Room XX., the Castillo y Saavedra in Room XVIIL Attention must now be drawn to the somewhat erude predella of the Nativity from the school of Masaccio in Room L, the two boys' heads by Jacob van Oost the elder in the Dutch room (Room XV.), which shows this monotonous painter at his best, and in the same room the Birth of the Virgin by an unknown Dutch painter. The four last-mentioned pictures have been given by Sir Henry Howorth. Mr. F. D. Lycett Green has presented a St. Anthony with at Infant Christ, by Amigoni. It will be found near the end of Room VII., and is an interesting example of the Venetian decadence.
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