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)

LIFE OF VAN DYCK. XXI
“ A group of Angels, dancing in a ring before the Holy
Family,” now in the collection of Prince Talleyrand;
a “ Penitent Magdalen,” now in the gallery of G. J.
Coesvelt, Esq. ; “ a Warrior in Armour,” in the Pa-
lazzo Pitti; and a “ Portrait of Le Clere” in Sir Abra-
ham Hume’s collection. Whatever disposition he may
have had for historical painting, his studies in this
department must have been frequently interrupted, by
applications for portraits; he could therefore have had
but little time left for its pursuit. For these reasons,
he devoted his leisure hours chiessy to copying several
of the finest pictures by Venetian painters*, the happy
result of which occupation of his time is evident in his
subsequent productions.
The excellence of his portraits soon spread his fame
through the neighbouring cities, and procured him the
patronage of many distinguished persons, and also invi-
tations from Turin and Genoa. The latter city, then
celebrated for its magnificent palaces and the opulence
and luxury of its inhabitants, particularly attracted his
attention, and promised him a rich supply for his pencil:
therefore, on quitting Venice he took up his resi-
dence in that city, where he remained, with little inter-
mission, upwards of three years ; and even this term
would scarcely have sufficed for the astonishing number
* The Hon. George Agar-Ellis possesses two volumes, containing
upwards of one hundred and fisty memorandums of detached parts
of pictures by Titian, Georgione, Veronese, Rassaelle, Parmigiano>
Romano, and other Italian painters; but by sar the largest portion
are after Titian, who appears to have been his favourite master.
They are chiessy done with a free pen, in bistre, and are accompanied
with numerous observations in his own hand.