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 6) (London: Smith and Son, 1835)

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ADVERTISEMENT.

proof of the high estimation in which they are held in
this and neighbouring countries; and the diminution
of their number by accident, and the destruction
from time to time by ignorant pretenders to the art
of cleaning, must continue to enhance the value and
estimation of those which exist in their genuine state.
The long list of descriptions of pictures which are
given under the head of Wouwermans, Rubens, Van
Dyck, and others, have occasioned doubts to be expressed
as to the possibility of one painter producing so many
pictures in the brief space of twenty or thirty years.
It should, however, be borne in mind, that the great
masters of the Dutch and Flemish schools were so well
grounded in the grammar of their art; were so inde-
fatigable in their application ; had so perfect a know-
ledge of the materials of their profession, and were
withal so dextrous in their use, that a few hours
often sufficed to begin and complete a picture. Many
instances of such dexterity are recorded by their
biographers. So far, however, is the Author of this
work from supposing that the numbers ascribed to par-
ticular masters are overstated*—that he apprehends
many are inadvertently omitted ; for, with the exception
of those quoted from authentic sale catalogues, and a
few contributed by competent judges, every description
was written by him from personal inspection of the
picture, and he has invariably declined recording such
as appeared to him of doubtful originality.
I
* Allowance must be made for duplicate entries, occasioned by
the impossibility of identifying pictures where the descriptions in
sale catalogues are vague.