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)

SCHOLARS AND IMITATORS.

239

with a friend; and, while under the inssuence of wine, took it
into his head to pour part of a glass into the mouth of his
master, observing that, when he was alive, he loved good
liquor. The result of this singular frolic was, that Beck
recovered, and lived many years after. He died at the Hague,
in 1656.
William Dobson. Of the various painters noticed in this
list of imitators, none deserves higher commendation than
Dobson, whose excellent productions in portraiture have ac-
quired for him the honourable distinction of the English Van
Dyck. He was born in London, in 1610; and, at a suitable
age, was apprenticed to Robert Peake, a stationer and picture-
dealer. The latter occupation afforded him an opportunity of
indulging his taste for the arts; and having received some
instruction in oil-painting, he executed several portraits from
the life, one of which, being exposed in a shop window, attracted
the notice of Van Dyck, who, upon inquiring for the painter,
found him at work in a garret. The compassionate artist felt
in the kindest manner for the striving youth, counselled him
how to proceed, and, from his subsequent liberality towards
him, there can be little doubt but he gave him free access to
his studio, and perhaps employed him. That a mutual friend-
ship succeeded between them, and that Van Dyck justly appre-
ciated the talents of Dobson, is proved by his having afterwards
recommended him to the notice of Charles I., who, on the death
of that favourite artist, gave Dobson the appointment of serjeant-
painter, and made him Groom of the Chamber. He soon after
accompanied his majesty to Oxford, where the king, Prince
Rupert, and several of the nobility sat to him for their portraits.
Dobson, like many others in prosperity, made no provision for
a change ; and the decline of the king’s power brought ruin on
the artist. Involved in debt and difficulties, he was thrown
into prison, from whence he was released through the kindness
of Mr. Vaughan, of the Exchequer, whose portrait he after-
wards painted, in a superior manner. He lived but a short