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.

xv ii

companions more liquor than he sold to his customers.
By such indulgences, it frequently happened that his
stock was exhausted; and when reduced to this ex-
tremity, he would take down his sign and have recourse
to his pencil, in order to obtain a fresh supply, which,
when obtained, was again wasted in the same intem-
perate manner. Notwithstanding these excesses, such
was the vigour of his genius, and the dexterity of his
hand, that he continued for many years to paint, with
undiminished fervour and success, a great number of
pictures, representing every variety of subject, abound-
ing with diversity of character, humorous events, and
satiric or moral allusions. Unhappily his uncontrol-
able inclination for liquor and low company increased
with his years, and perpetually plunged him and his
family into poverty and distress, from which he
as constantly relieved himself by the exercise of his
pencil; requiring only a little sober application to meet
the wants of a starving family, and to satisfy, in a
degree, the demands of his urgent creditors.
Thus was the greater portion of a valuable life
consumed, and vigorous talents destroyed, by such
degrading propensities; his mental powers became
paralyzed, and his person exhibited the effects of a
premature old age.
He died in the year 1689, aged 53.