DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62819#0438
364
SCHOLARS AND IMITATORS.
and instructed in the art by Henry Van Baelen, with whom he
appears to have learnt little more than the first principles
of painting. On quitting this master he followed the bent
of his own genius, commencing with fruit and other objects of
still life, to which he subsequently added the study of wild
animals. In this latter pursuit he was doubtless much
assisted and encouraged by Rubens, who highly appreciated
his talents, and employed him extensively for many years. To
the advantage of working conjointly with such a master, may
be attributed the excellence to which he ultimately attained in
his peculiar department of the art. Of the variety of subjects
treated by his pencil, his genius is most conspicuous in hunts of
the bear and wild boar ; in these he displayed a correct know-
ledge of the diversity of action and strong excitement exhibited
in such pursuits. The natural propensities of the dogs in the
attack, and the sturdy and sanguinary resistance of their oppo-
nents, are depicted with spirit, energy, and truth. His produc-
tions of this kind are exceedingly admired ; but in a representa-
tion of the nobler animals he was evidently less successful: his
lions, however accurately delineated, frequently required the
hand of Rubens to give them the fire and ferocity of expression
characteristic of that quadruped ; and it does not appear that
he ever attempted to portray the horse. The most estimable
works of this artist are those in which are incorporated the
figures of Rubens, and those which were painted during that
artist’s life. In the absence of that great painter, he had
recourse to the assistance of Van Thulden, Wouters, Boeyer-
mans, and other artists of the school. It is but just to observe,
that the reputation of Snyders is sometimes injured by the
imposition of pictures by his pupils, Jurian Jacobz and Peter
Boel; but those of a third scholar, Paul de Vos, are occa-
sionally worthy the name of Snyders. He died in 1657,
aged seventy-eight.
John Wildens. A name so frequently associated with that
qf Rubens, that nothing more need be said to prove that he
SCHOLARS AND IMITATORS.
and instructed in the art by Henry Van Baelen, with whom he
appears to have learnt little more than the first principles
of painting. On quitting this master he followed the bent
of his own genius, commencing with fruit and other objects of
still life, to which he subsequently added the study of wild
animals. In this latter pursuit he was doubtless much
assisted and encouraged by Rubens, who highly appreciated
his talents, and employed him extensively for many years. To
the advantage of working conjointly with such a master, may
be attributed the excellence to which he ultimately attained in
his peculiar department of the art. Of the variety of subjects
treated by his pencil, his genius is most conspicuous in hunts of
the bear and wild boar ; in these he displayed a correct know-
ledge of the diversity of action and strong excitement exhibited
in such pursuits. The natural propensities of the dogs in the
attack, and the sturdy and sanguinary resistance of their oppo-
nents, are depicted with spirit, energy, and truth. His produc-
tions of this kind are exceedingly admired ; but in a representa-
tion of the nobler animals he was evidently less successful: his
lions, however accurately delineated, frequently required the
hand of Rubens to give them the fire and ferocity of expression
characteristic of that quadruped ; and it does not appear that
he ever attempted to portray the horse. The most estimable
works of this artist are those in which are incorporated the
figures of Rubens, and those which were painted during that
artist’s life. In the absence of that great painter, he had
recourse to the assistance of Van Thulden, Wouters, Boeyer-
mans, and other artists of the school. It is but just to observe,
that the reputation of Snyders is sometimes injured by the
imposition of pictures by his pupils, Jurian Jacobz and Peter
Boel; but those of a third scholar, Paul de Vos, are occa-
sionally worthy the name of Snyders. He died in 1657,
aged seventy-eight.
John Wildens. A name so frequently associated with that
qf Rubens, that nothing more need be said to prove that he