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)

MINDEBHOUT HOBBEMA.

145

the skirt of a forest, and the middle-ground is here laid out as
a nursery for young trees. In addition to the figures already
noticed may be mentioned, a sportsman with a gun, who is at
some distance off on the road, followed by a dog.
3 ft. 5 in. by 4<ft. 8 in.—C.
The singular scene just described, would present in nature so
little to interest, that thousands would pass it with indifference ; or,
if noticed at all, would be considered inapplicable to the purposes of
the pencil; yet such is the magical power of genius, that this unpro-
pitious site is rendered, by a skilful combination of the aerial and
lineal perspective, purity and freshness of tints, together with a
delicious blending of floating shadows with bursts of sunshine, a
picture of transcendent beauty and attraction. Signed, and dated
1689. Of the originality of this date some doubt may be entertained.
See note, page 113.
It was sold privately at Dort, in 1815, for lOOOyZo., 90/., and
was afterwards purchased by M. M. Vander Pots, of Rotterdam,
for 1600 flo., or 154Z. ; from that gentleman it was bought, in
1824, with many other good pictures, by Mr. Galli, and taken to
Edinburgh, where it was put up at auction in 1828, and sold for
195 gs.; it was lastly brought to London, where it was much improved
by cleaning, and sold by a Mr. Ewing for 800Z.
Now in the collection of the Right Hon. Sir Robert Peel, Bart.
89. The Sportsman. A landscape, with a lofty cluster of
trees in the centre, by the side of which passes a road leading
to some cottages, extending along the right, partly hidden by
trees; a hedge row on the left, following the bend of the
road, divides it from a field. A sportsman with a gun on his
shoulder, accompanied by a man and a dog, are on the road,
and another person is seen at the end of it, turning towards
the right. Engraved in aqua-tinta bv Pristel.
3 ft. 3 in. by 4 st. 3 in.
Now in the collection of M. Six Van Hillegom.
90. The Market Day. A landscape, with two roads in
front, leading to the right and left, on which are five persons,
four of whom carry baskets. A waggon drawn by two
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