ITALIAN SCHOOL. 2000oooo

TITIAN. -orone FRENCH MUSEUM.

ALPHONSE AVALOS AND HIS MISTRESS.

Alphonso d'Avalos, Marquis del Guasto, general of the army of Charles V., was born at Naples in 1502. He served his first campaign under his uncle, the Marquis of Pescara, whom he succeeded in the command. He was present at the celebrated battle of Pavia, in 1525, in which Francis I. was made prisoner; but in 1544, he was completely beaten by the French, under the Duke d’Enghein, at Cerizoles, and forced to seek safety in flight : whichw as the more ignominious, from the presumption displayed by him before the battle : his army is said to have been followed by carriages, loaded with hand-cuffs for the French prisoners.

From d'Avalos's attitude it may be conjectured, that he is represented in the company of his mistress ; but what is the allegory meant to be expressed by the remaining figures, it is not easy to divine.

This valuable picture is painted with the utmost care : its sweet and mellow colouring is particularly admired. It has long pertained to the collection of the King of France, and has been finely engraved by Natalis.

Height, 3 feet 7 inches; width, 3 feet, 5 inches.