Smith, John: A catalogue raisonné of the works of the most eminent Dutch, Flemish, and French painters: in which is included a short biographical notice of the artists, with a copious description of their principal pictures : a statement of the prices at which such pictures have been sold at public sales on the continent and in England; a reference the the galleries and private collections in which a large portion are at present; and the names of the artists by whom they have been engraved; to which is added, a brief notice of the scholars & imitators of the great masters of the above schools (Part 1) (London: Smith and Son, 1829)

xiv

INTRODUCTION.

with that which is most common ; namely, placing the
name of a first-rate master upon a picture by an imi-
tator, or on a copy, which is frequently disguised by dirt
and varnish, &c.; but a copy (if modern) may be easily
detected by its newness, as, on being pressed by the nail,
the colour will be found to be still soft. These fabricators
disguise a copy by dirt and varnish, using especial care
to have it painted upon an old canvas or panel, to which
seals and other documents are attached at the back, so
that unguarded purchasers are often deceived by ap-
parently the most authentic evidences of originality. ,
Amateurs are frequently invited to look at cases of pic-
tures, which are said to be just arrived from the Conti-
nent. This invitation is accompanied by a plausible
history of the collection, from whence they are said to be
derived ; perhaps that of “ some ancient family in Italy
or Holland.” There assurances are occasionally strength-
ened by invoices, letters, and other corroborative docu-
ments; thus suspicion is so lulled, that the gentleman
intended to be duped readily accompanies the agent (for
principals are rarely seen in these matters) to the custom
house, or wareroom, where he sees the foreign case
opened ; is full of considence, and buys a Pan Stry for
a Cuyp; a Pegyn, for a Perghem or Poth; and a
Camphuysen for a Paul Potter; or the works of any
other imitator, or analogous painter, for those of the
first-rate masters !
Another artful method, which frequently misleads
amateurs, is a plausible tale or history of a picture,
accompanied by high encomiums of its excellence and
value ; this is followed by the demand of an enormous
price, which is lowered gradually, until the wary dealer