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)

JOHN VAN HUYSUM.

1 his eminent Artist was born at Amsterdam, in 1682,
and learnt the rudiments of painting from his father,
who was a decorator of rooms, in which occupation he
has the reputation of having been a clever draughtsman
of every variety of subject used for that purpose,
according to the prevailing taste of the period, whether
figures, animals, landscapes, architecture, fruit and
ssowers, or ornaments : specimens of each being always
ready in his magazine for selection. In the execution
of these objects he was greatly assisted by his sons,
John, Justus, and Jacob.
John, the eldest son, early distinguished himself for
superior abilities in his profession, by the production of
several fruit and ssower pieces, the merit of which
attracted the notice, and obtained the commendation of
all who saw them. This encouragement determined
him to relinquish the general line of painting pursued
by his father, and to devote himself exclusively to the
study of his favourite objects. As soon, therefore, as
he attained the age of maturity (having quitted his
father, and settled himself by marriage), he applied his
whole attention to painting of fruit and ssowers.