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)

xxviii

LIFE OF RUBENS.

venience of study and painting, he might be allowed to
execute them in his painting-room at Antwerp, which
was readily granted.
A grateful acknowledgment of the friendly service
of the ambassador was the first object of the artist, on
his return to Antwerp; and the best efforts of his
pencil were employed on a picture representing the
Virgin and child, which he instantly sent as a present
to the baron, at Paris. On a subsequent occasion
he painted the portraits of the baron and his lady, in
his most finished manner.
Having thoroughly acquainted himself with the
history of the life of Marie de Medicis, and arranged
all the principal events in due order, he made spirited
sketches of each subject*; these he gave to his pupils
to work fromf, under his constant superintendence;
by which means this prodigious work was completed in
less than two years |. While engaged in this profitable
undertaking, a miserable painter, of the name of
Brendel, whose mind was affected by the pursuit of
alchymy, proposed to Rubens to associate with him in
the search of the philosopher’s stone; to which he
replied, “ My friend, you are come too late. Twenty
“ years ago I might have been tempted to listen to
“ your offer, but I am now in possession of the object
* Now in the Munich Gallery.
j- At this period he had, as assistants or pupils, Van Dyck,
Justus Van Egmont, Jacques Jordaens, Peter Van Mol, Cornelius
Schut, Jan Van Hoeck, Simon de Vos, Deodato Delmont, Nicholas
Vander Horst, Snyders, Mompers, and Wildens; the three latter
being exclusively occupied in painting animals and landscapes.
J For description see pp. 121 to 127, inclusive.