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)

GABRIEL METSU.

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21. Companion. The Letter received. A lady attired in a
morning dress, consisting of a close cap, a yellow jacket, and a
pink skirt, seated near a window, reading a letter. On the op-
posite side of the room is a maid servant, wearing a drab-colour
dress; she stands with her back to the spectator, having a tin
pail on her arm, and a letter in one hand, while with the other
hand she is in the act of raising a green curtain, which covers
a picture hanging against the wall. A little dog is in the room.
A singularly clear and luminous effect pervades this picture.
These productions (particularly the former) are of the rarest
excellence and beauty.
Collection of M. G. Bruyn, Amst. 1724. . 785 flo. 74l.
- M. Braamcamp, . . 1771. . 5205slo. 4881.
Exhibited in the British Gallery in 1815.
Now in the choice collection of Philip Henry Hope, Esq.
Worth IGOOgs.
22. An old Woman, dressed in a brown jacket and a blue
apron, seated on a form at the door of a house, feeding a
spaniel: this scene attracts the attention of an elderly man, who
stands on the upper step of the house, leaning one hand on the
half-door, which is partly open; a portion of a reel lies on the
seat, and a grindstone, an earthen pan, and a wooden spoon, are
on the ground in front. Admirably painted.
1 ft. 7 in. by 1 ft. 1 in.—P.
Collection os M. Braamcamp, . . 1771. . 1200jlo. 1081.
Now in the collection of the Marquis of Bute.
23. The Herring Woman. A young woman, dressed in a
red bodice with white sleeves, and a blue skirt, holding a tub
of herrings under her arm, one of which she is showing to
an elderly woman, supported on a stick, who appears to be
bargaining for some. A cottage forms the back-ground. This
is a most satisfactory example of the master.
1 ft. 2^ in. by 1st. 1 in.—P.
Collection of M. Smeth Van Alpen, 1810. . 1700flo. 1531.
Now in the collection of M. Six Van Hillegom. Worth 2501.
VOL. IV. G