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 3) (London: Smith and Son, 1831)

PREFACE.

XV

their originality is in some degree guaranteed by family
tradition, or the sanction of acknowledged connoisseurs.
That he is compelled to leave his readers in this
inevitable state of doubt and uncertainty, with respect
to many portraits, has been the cause of much vexation
to himself, and will naturally occasion some disappoint-
ment to them. In this dilemma, between the alter-
natives of omission and insertion, he has chosen
the latter as the least objectionable, and having
candidly apprized his readers of the difficulties he
has encountered, they will doubtless make due allow-
ance for some defects, and themselves use additional
caution in purchasing such duplicate pictures.