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 5) (London: Smith and Son, 1834)

PAUL POTTER.

115

and action, which the Princess being informed of,
declined taking the picture*.
Whether it was in compliance with the pressing
invitations of the Burgomaster Tulp, or to avoid the
jealous and malicious persecutions from other artists,
which he is said to have experienced, Potter quitted
the Hague in 1652, and went to reside at Amsterdam.
He was now under the protection of his friend
and patron, Tulp, for whom he was indefatigable,
commencing his labours at day-break, and continuing
them until sun-set : his evenings were also devoted
to objects connected with his art, either drawing or
etching. Such unremitting attention to study, and
a frequent exposure in the open air to heat and cold,
gradually affected a constitution naturally delicate;
a pulmonary disease was generated, and he sunk
under an access of languor in the month of January
1654, being then only twenty-nine years of age.
In tracing the rise and progress of this celebrated
artist, it will be found that, like all great painters,
he was the author of his own style, and nature was
at all times his model. She was indeed his nurse
in childhood, his mistress in youth, and his constant
companion to the end of his days. He bestowed
unremitting attention on every object and circumstance
* This capital production, representing a Dairy Farm, with
the house, and numerous cattle, was asterwards in the Hesse Cassel
collection, from whence it was taken, during the late war, by the
French, and is now in the Hermitage at St. Petersburg. It is
known to connoisseurs by the designation of that part of the sub-
ject which caused its rejection by the Princess.-—See No. 15, 2?. 125.