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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DAVID TENIERS.

progress of his skill, the variations of his style, and to
judge, by inspection, the epoch of the different examples
that may come under his view. To those who have not
made pictures their study, this may appear of no very
great importance ; but the value of it is well understood
by collectors, and those who make picture-dealing a
profession. It may frequently establish the genuineness
of a picture, and apportion its relative value between the
seller and purchaser. Therefore, where there are few or
no prominent circumstances in the life of an artist left re-
corded, his history and character are chiefly to be learnt
from his works; to them alone must the inquirer, in
most instances, be referred for an exemplification of the
features in his life that may at all concern posterity. If
examples in confirmation of this opinion were necessary,
they would be readily found in the lives and works of
numerous painters, particularly in those of the Dutch
and Flemish schools. The pictures by Jan Steen,
Adrian Ostade, Brouwer, Craesbeck, and Bega, are
faithful mirrors of their prevailing tastes and indul-
gences ; hence it may be concluded that the disposition
of Teniers was gay and humorous, with an attachment
to domestic enjoyments, as exhibited in the merry scenes
he so frequently represented. That he was gentlemanly
in his appearance, and amiable in his character, may
fairly be inferred from the many portraits of himself
which are introduced in his village feasts and other
subjects*; he is there always represented with the air
and dress of a gentleman, and, being generally accom-

* There is an exceedingly-beautiful small whole-length portrait
of Teniers, by himself, in the collection of Alexander Baring, Esq.