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)

LUDOLPH BACKHUYZEN.

This admirable marine painter was born at Embden,
in 1631. After receiving a suitable education, he
entered the office of his father, who held a situation
under government, and continued to assist him until he
had attained his eighteenth year, when he was placed in
the counting-house of a merchant. It is not likely that
he remained any length of time in the latter situation,
his fondness for drawing leading him to seize every
opportunity to indulge in it. His progress was such,
that he was enabled to give himself up to a pursuit for
which nature had so richly endowed him. This was
further promoted by the local situation of his birth-
place, it being a maritime port, where he had every
facility for studying the objects of his choice. He was
a most accomplished penman, and obtained such reputa-
tion for his skill in this elegant acquirement, that he
was liberally paid for lessons which he gave at his
leisure hours to the families of eminent merchants.
At this period his studies and drawings were almost
exclusively made with a pen, and many of them were
finished with such neatness, and at the same time with
so much spirit, that a single drawing by his hand is
said to have sold for 100 ssorins.

VOL. VI.

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