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 2) (London: Smith and Son, 1830)

THE

LIFE
OF
PETER PAUL RUBENS.

1 HE secluded and tranquil life of an artist furnishes in
general but few materials for the pen of the biographer;
and the casual anecdotes of the foibles and eccentricities
that inquisitive curiosity may glean from his domestic
habits, or his occasional connections with the world, are
frequently too unimportant to entertain the judicious
reader. To record circumstances not really necessary
to elucidate the character of the individual, is not only
an insult to the judgment of the reader, but a detriment
to the memory of the person to whom it relates, whose
life, if it be worth writing, should present examples
worthy of imitation to those who wish to pursue a
similar path to fame and distinction.
The artist, whose history it is intended to record in
the following pages, differs from almost every other
of the same profession—his life abounding in promi-
nent events: at one time exercising his art as a
painter, at another engaged in the cabinet, or in exe-
cuting some important diplomatic mission ; admired