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)

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SCHOLARS AND IMITATORS
OF
GABRIEL METSU.
Joust Van Geel. This painter, born in 1631, was a
disciple of Metsu, whose elegant style he gradually abandoned,
for one more resembling Peter de Hooge’s, or Hoogstraiten’s.
One of his best productions in this style is engraved in the Le
Brun Gallery, and the picture from which the print was taken
is now in the collection of the Duchess de Berri.
Ochtervelt. He is supposed to have been born about
the year 1655. A little acquaintance with the works of this
clever painter can hardly fail to create a supposition, that their
author was either a pupil or an imitator of Metsu. The
subjects, as well as the style, have considerable resemblance
to that master’s; but in making this comparison, it must be
owned that they are in every respect greatly inferior to his,
and may chiessy be distinguished by a predominance of cold
gray tones.
Vander Meer, of Delft. Writers appear to have been
entirely ignorant of the works of this excellent artist; for
although they mention two persons of the name, neither of
them answer to the description of the one now under notice.
The subjects he chiessy delighted to represent were women
busy in household occupations, or engaged in some amuse-
ment—as music, writing, reading, or cards; and these pictures
are treated with much of the elegance of Metsu, mingled with
a little of the manner of De Hooge. Nor was his pencil con-
fined to these subjects ; for his talents were equally adapted
to landscape painting, and views in towns. One of his best
performances in this branch, representing a view of the town of
Delft, at sun-set, is now in the Hague Museum. This superb
picture was purchased for the King of Holland, at a public
sale, about the year 1818, for the sum of 5000 ssorins. He
ssourished at the end of the seventeenth century.