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)

GERARD DOW.

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Prince Eugene, at whose death it became the property of the House
of Savoy, and was placed in the Royal Gallery, at Turin; from
whence it was transferred to the Louvre, by the French, where it
still remains, they having redeemed it, by paying 100,000/s. at the
restoration of claimed property, in 1815. It is engraved, both in the
large and small Musee; in the latter by Fosseyeux, and also in a
superior manner, by-- Claessins.
Valued by the Experts du Musee, 1816. . 120,000^5. 4800Z.
Now in the Louvre.
311 in. by 25 in.— P.

96. An Astrologer at a window, attentively reading a book,
which lies open on the sill, upon which he leans his right arm,
holding a lighted candle in that hand, and in his left a pair of
compasses, which he is lightly placing on the top of a celestial
globe; a bottle half-full of liquor, and an hour-glass placed
upon a book, are on the sill of the window; on the right of
which is a pillar, adorned with a cupid; and on the left, a
curtain, drawn in a festoon against another pillar, and sus-
pended from above.
Collection of M. Six . . . Amst. 1734. . 905 flo. 81Z.
- La Perrier .... 1817. . 7000 fs. 280Z.
-- J; Barchard, Esq. 1826 (at Mr. Christie’s). 300gs.
Bought by the writer, who sold it to W. Beckford, Esq. who
has since parted with it in exchange to Mr. Hume.
The luminous effect, which emanates from a single candle, is so
admirably distributed throughout this little picture, that the most
perfect illusion is produced. The quality and texture os every
object are described with astonishing truth and beauty; and
although the finishing is of the most exquisite kind, yet the artist
has preserved a breadth of effect, with a purity and brilliancy of
colour, far surpassing any other painter in this line of art. It is
a jewel of the highest estimation and beauty.
A picture of a similar subject is in the collection of Madam Six
Van Winter, of Amsterdam.
12| in. by 8| in.—P.
VOL. I. D