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)

286

ADAM PYNAKER.

represent what might be termed a portion of a land-
scape, rather than a whole. A lofty hill, richly clothed
with trees, among which the beech and birch are fre-
quently conspicuous (as he painted with surprising truth
and effect the silvery hues of their bark) the tangled
copse, a sedgy brook, and abundance of herbage; these,
with a glimpse of distant mountains, and the necessary
adjuncts of cattle and figures, form the composition of
his most esteemed pictures. Occasionally his river
views, with laden barges and other boats, are treated
in a most artist-like and masterly manner, and merit
the esteem in which they are held by the connoisseur.
If he was inferior to some of his contemporary artists
in composition, he was in some respects more than their
equal in colour and fascinating effect, for nothing in
painting can exceed the beauty and brilliancy of his
verdure, the warmth of his atmosphere, and the spark-
ling radiance of the sun-beams among the foliage of his
trees, and the prominent objects of his fore-grounds.
Nor is his execution less deserving commendation, for
its admirable dexterity and appropriate touch. His
figures are correctly drawn, and accord well with the
surrounding scenery.
He died in 1673, aged 52.