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)

180

ISAAC VAN OSTADE.

A DESCRIPTION OF HIS PRINCIPAL PICTURES.
1. A Pair. One represents an estaminet. Engraved by
Pelletier, under the title of Les Plaisirs des Buveurs.
15 in. by 23 in.—P.
2. The Companion. A similar subject. Engraved under
the title of La Colere des Buveurs.
Collection of Count de Vence . . 1760. . 260 fs. 11?.
3. A view of the entrance to a village. On the right stands
a picturesque house with a tree at its side, near which a gentle-
man on a gray horse (seen in a hinder view) is passing, followed
by two dogs, one of which a boy is caressing; and on the
opposite side are two pigs, near a rustic hovel: in the middle
distance are a number of villagers, and amongst them may be
observed a man examining a bullock, and a woman with a yoke
and pails, in conversation with a peasant; the spire of a church
rises in the distance.
Collection of Choiseul .... 1772. . 6700 fs. 2881.
This is unquestionably the chef-d'oeuvre of the artist: the colouring
is singularly rich and beautiful, and the composition and drawing are
perfect; in execution it resembles the sparkling and spirited penciling
of the best works of Paul Potter. The writer bought it of Mr. Erard,
at Paris, in 1823, and sold it to the Right Honourable Robert Peel,
for. 400 gs.
Exhibited in the British Gallery, 1824.
21 in. by 18 in.—P.
4. A view of a country inn, with adjacent houses. A woman
seated, spinning; two men (one of whom is seated) ; a cavalier,
a woman leading a child, and other figures, are distributed
about the picture.
Collection of Count Dubarri . 1774. . 2310 fs. 921. 10s.
-R. de Boisset . . 1777. . 3605 fs. 144?.
-- M. Boeuf (bought by Le Brun), 1782, 1200 fs. 48?.
38 in. by 49 in.—C.