DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.51519#0058
44 INTRODUCTION.
Wissing wag a Dutch painter, who came over to England after
having obtained gome celebrity at the French court: he wag much
patronised during the short time he wag here, and painted most of
the royal family. The portraits of Lady Ossory and Mrs. Nott, in
this collection, are by Wigsing : he was especially in fashion among
the ladies, for he was sure to catch the best and most advantageous
expression of every face. If it happened that one of his lovely
models grew pale, and looked fatigued during a long sitting, he
would take her by the hand and dance her about the room, to
restore bloom to her complexion and spirit to her countenance: it
was a specific which never failed. Wissing died young, at Lord
Exeter’s seat at Burleigh. He has been celebrated by Prior.
James Huysman, or Houseman, was a native of Antwerp, who
came over to England when Lely was in the zenith of his repu-
tation, and had nearly rivalled him: and not without reason.
Huysman had studied in the school of Rubens, and formed his
taste and style after the model of Vandyke. Some of his pictures
which I have seen, have something of the power and freedom of
the latter painter, blended with the sweetness and grace of Lely.
His beautiful portrait of the Duchess of Richmond, (Miss Stewart,)
as a young’ cavalier, is at Kensington. Whether the fine picture,
which hangs over the door in the Beauty Room at Windsor, be
the work of Huysman or Vandyke,—whether it represent a Lady
Bellasys, or a Lady Byron, are points which will be discussed and
settled in their proper place.
Huysman constituted himself the Queen’s painter, and made her
sit for all his Madonnas and Venuses. He might have chosen a
better model, and more munificent patroness: Catherine had no
predilection for the fine arts. Huysman died in 1696 : his death
left Kneller without a rival.
Sir Godfrey Kneller was by birth a Saxon. His first success
in England is connected with a very characteristic anecdote. He
came to this country in 1674, without any intention of residing
Wissing wag a Dutch painter, who came over to England after
having obtained gome celebrity at the French court: he wag much
patronised during the short time he wag here, and painted most of
the royal family. The portraits of Lady Ossory and Mrs. Nott, in
this collection, are by Wigsing : he was especially in fashion among
the ladies, for he was sure to catch the best and most advantageous
expression of every face. If it happened that one of his lovely
models grew pale, and looked fatigued during a long sitting, he
would take her by the hand and dance her about the room, to
restore bloom to her complexion and spirit to her countenance: it
was a specific which never failed. Wissing died young, at Lord
Exeter’s seat at Burleigh. He has been celebrated by Prior.
James Huysman, or Houseman, was a native of Antwerp, who
came over to England when Lely was in the zenith of his repu-
tation, and had nearly rivalled him: and not without reason.
Huysman had studied in the school of Rubens, and formed his
taste and style after the model of Vandyke. Some of his pictures
which I have seen, have something of the power and freedom of
the latter painter, blended with the sweetness and grace of Lely.
His beautiful portrait of the Duchess of Richmond, (Miss Stewart,)
as a young’ cavalier, is at Kensington. Whether the fine picture,
which hangs over the door in the Beauty Room at Windsor, be
the work of Huysman or Vandyke,—whether it represent a Lady
Bellasys, or a Lady Byron, are points which will be discussed and
settled in their proper place.
Huysman constituted himself the Queen’s painter, and made her
sit for all his Madonnas and Venuses. He might have chosen a
better model, and more munificent patroness: Catherine had no
predilection for the fine arts. Huysman died in 1696 : his death
left Kneller without a rival.
Sir Godfrey Kneller was by birth a Saxon. His first success
in England is connected with a very characteristic anecdote. He
came to this country in 1674, without any intention of residing