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)

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VAN DYCK.

and contempt for his employers, surprised the sympathizing work-
men by the good humour with which he persevered in placing the
picture in its destined situation, feeling convinced that its merits
would eventually be appreciated. In this opinion he was not dis-
appointed, for shortly after this learned body discovered, to their
great mortification and disgrace, that the picture they had so much
despised was the admiration of all good judges; and desirous of
redeeming their character, and making the insulted artist some
amends, they held a chapter, in which it was determined to write to
him and bespeak two other pictures. This communication gave the
painter an opportunity of retorting upon them in their own terms ;
and he replied by saying, that if they wanted pictures, they had
daubers enough in their own city whom they might employ, but sor
himself he had resolved in future to paint sor men and not for asses.
34. St. Martin dividing his Cloak with two poor Men.
The saint, clad in armour and wearing a black cap decked with
feathers, is mounted on a strong gray horse, represented in a
fore-shortened view, advancing towards the front, where his pro-
gress appears to have been suddenly impeded by his compas-
sion for the houseless and naked sufferers, and he is in the act
of dividing his scarlet mantle with his sword, to bestow it
upon two mendicants, one of whom is seated on some straw;
the other, with his head bound up, is kneeling in front, sup-
ported on crutches. On the farther side of the saint is an
attendant, having a green mantle over his armour and his head
uncovered ; he rides a brown horse. The head of a second
person is seen beyond him. A portion of a handsome building
appears at some distance, and the view terminates by a brilliant
horizon and sun-set.
5 ft, 9 in. by 5 ft. 3 in.—P. (about.)
Worth 2000 gs.
Engraved by Krafft, and in the Musee Fran^ais.
There can be little doubt that the artist painted this altar-piece
previous to his visiting Italy, and that the composition was wholly
borrowed from one in which he had but a short time before largely
assisted his master Rubens to finish. (Vide that Master s Works,