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 4) (London: Smith and Son, 1833)

JAN STEEN.

It has already been observed, that every painter
exhibits to a certain extent his own disposition and
character in his works ; and were it necessary to give
proof of this opinion, it might be strikingly illustrated
by the life and productions of this artist. He was the
boon companion of all the merry fellows in the village ;
the most entertaining relater of droll stories; the willing
and jovial guest of every social party; and the very
best painter in his particular class that ever lived.
Jan Steen was born at Delft, in the year 1636, of
respectable parents, who educated him in a manner
suitable to his birth, and intended him for an employ-
ment very different from that which his own taste and
genius disposed him to follow. In compliance with the
decided choice which he manifested for drawing, he
was first placed with Nicholas Knufer, a painter of
historical and fancy subjects; on quitting this master,
he is supposed to have studied for a short time under
Adrian Bramder; and lastly to have perfected himself
with Van Goyen*. The talents and agreeable dis-
* It is not from the slight and hasty productions which so
srequently are met with at sales, that the real merit of this landscape