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)

RACHEL RUISCH.

The extraordinary talents of this lady in ssower
painting, justly entitle her to be placed in succession
to Van Huysum, and, like him, to be noticed in the
highest terms of commendation. Although this branch
of the art is now neglected, in consequence of the little
encouragement held out to those who would pursue it,
yet such is the superlative beauty of the works of
Rachel Ruisch, that, like those by Van Huysum, when-
ever they appear in the market, there are always found
amateurs who will pay liberally for them.
This highly-gifted artist was born at Amsterdam in
1664, and is said to have manifested from her infancy
such a decided predilection for drawing, by copying
every picture and print that came within her reach,
that it was evident to her parents and friends, nature
had destined her for the arts. She was therefore
placed under the care and direction of William Van
Aelst*, a painter of considerable merit, of fruit, ssowers,
* Born at Delft in 1620. He pursued his profession in France,
Italy, and Holland, and ultimately settled at Amsterdam, where he
died in 1679.