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.

35

pencils in his left hand, and turning over, with his right, the
leaves of a large book, which lies on the sill. His dress consists
of a brownish-coloured waistcoat with sleeves, and a dark blue
mantle embroidered with gold lace; a lightish blue bonnet
covers his head; a piece of striped cloth hangs over the sill, and
partly covers a bas-relief of boys playing with a goat. A pot
of marigolds stands in front, and a rich luxuriant vine spreads
itself over one side of the window, to which is suspended a
cage with a bird in it. In the back-ground is seen an easel
with an open umbrella attached to the top of it, to shelter the
careful artist’s picture from dust.
This very beautiful and interesting picture was purchased by the
present possessor, the Chev. Erard, in 1825, for 25,000 fs. 1000Z.
19 in. by 15| in.—P.
102. The Interior of a room with a large arched-top window
at its side, near which is seated a youth wearing a cap and
feather, and habited in the picturesque costume of the time;
he holds a violin in his lap, which he appears to have just
ceased playing, and is looking round towards the spectator;
his right arm rests upon a covered table, on which are a globe,
a music book lying open, a candlestick, and an ember pot; and
upon the ssoor, in front, are a coffee-pot, a large book with clasps,
and other objects: a boarded partition separates the room from
a winding staircase seen in the back part of it; against the
former is attached a shelf with books on it; a cloak also hangs
against it, a basket is at the side of the window, and a brass
chandelier is suspended from above. Dated 1647.
This little bijou is perhaps, as a whole, the most perfect work
that the master ever produced; to the most exquisite and incom-
parable finishing, he has added elegance and taste in design and
arrangement, a skilful distribution of light and shade, and a purity
and richness of colour that are truly admirable. Engraved by
Finden; also by J. Matan, in the Forster Gallery.
Now in the collection os the Marquess of Stafford.
12| in. by 9| in,-—P. (arched top.)