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
PETER DE HOOGE.
As the works of Peter de Hooge derive their chief beauty
and attraction from the perfect gradation of tints, or, in other
terms, their correct aerial perspective, a deficiency, in this
essential quality, is the test or criterion between the works of
the master and the Imitator.
Samuel Van Hoogstracten, a native of Dort, born in
1627, was evidently an aspirant to the style and effects of
De Hooge ; he chose the same kind of subjects, treated them
in a similar manner, and it must be owned that in many
instances he has so nearly approached his prototype as to
deceive experienced connoisseurs. The celebrated Le Brun
has introduced a print, after a picture by this master, in his
excellent gallery of the Dutch and Flemish school, to which he
has affixed the name of De Hooge. This picture was recently
in the Writer’s possession.
Joust, or Justus Van Geel, is said to have been a scholar
of Metsu, whose elegant style (if he ever did attempt it) he
abandoned for that of De Hooge’s. His pictures are not
frequently seen in the market, either from the circumstance of
their being attributed to De Hooge, or their real scarcity.
One of his best productions is in the collection of the Duchess
de Berri, a print from which is given in the Le Brun Gallery.
Vander Meer, of Delf. This painter is so little known,
by reason of the scarcity of his works, that it is quite inex-
plicable how he attained the excellence many of them exhibit.
Much of the effect and style of De Hooge is evident in all his
pictures, but there are some few which approach that master so
nearly, as to create a belief that he studied under him: these
pictures generally represent the exterior views of Houses. One
of his best performances, representing the town of Delf, at
sunset, is in the Musee at the Hague. This picture sold in a
public sale, about ten years ago, for 5000flo.