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)

xxx vi

LIFE OF RUBENS.

regularly communicated to the King of Spain ; and a
secret disposition existing in both courts to terminate all
differences, it was arranged, by the advice of the Marquis
Spinola, then prime minister to the Archduchess Isabella,
to send Rubens to Madrid, to lay before the king all
matters relative to the aforesaid correspondence, and to
receive instructions for a proposed mission to the En-
glish Court. Rubens arrived at Madrid in September
1627*, and was received with much distinction by the
king, with whom and his minister, the Duke of Olivarez,
he had frequent conferences, in all of which he gave the
most satisfactory proofs of his diplomatic talents. The
king was further confirmed in his high opinion of
Rubens, by his wise and prudent observations in an
affair of difficulty, on which His Majesty purposely
sounded him; and the Duke of Olivarez emphatically
declared, that he knew no one more capable of con-
ducting an affair of state.
A singular event, which excited much conversation
at the time, occurred during the residence of Rubens
in this city. John, Duke of Braganza, afterwards
King of Portugal, hearing repeatedly of the extraordi-
nary merit of the artist, and of the high esteem in
which he was held at Madrid, expressed a strong
desire to see him, and sent an invitation for that pur-
pose from his hunting-seat at Villa Vizzosa. The
honour was readily accepted, and permission being
obtained of Philip, Rubens made suitable prepara-
tions for the journey; many gentlemen of distinction
* Cumberland makes it April 1628; but this statement is not
confirmed by subsequent events.