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)

ISAAC VAN OSTADE
Wa S born at Lubeck, about the year 1617. He was
a disciple of his brother Adrian, whose style and
manner he at first pursued, and represented similar
subjects; such as boors smoking and drinking, playing
at cards, quarrelling and fighting; these he touched
with great freedom and spirit, and good effect; but
being generally slight, and brown in colour, they are
considered of little value. He afterwards changed
his style of painting, and acquired one peculiarly his
own, and at the same time selected different subjects
for representation; such as travellers halting to bait,
with their cattle, &c. at country inns, or views in
villages, and canal scenes under the aspect of winter;
these he composed with picturesque effect, and painted
with infinite care, always expressing the detail of each
object with great truth to nature: his figures and cattle
are correctly drawn, and tastefully grouped; the colour-
ing rich, full, and sparkling. Pictures of the first quality,
by this master, are exceedingly rare, and proportionably
high in price, their excellence placing him in the same
rank with his brother; and had he lived a few years
longer, he might possibly have acquired an equally
extended reputation.
He died about 1654.