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 7) (London: Smith and Son, 1836)

REMBRANDT VAN RHYN.

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several works, the Writer would choose Lastman and
Schooten, as his most efficient instructors, there being
in the works of both these masters sufficient to trace
the origin of those peculiar characteristics which dis-
tinguish the school of Rembrandt. Thus, although he
was unquestionably a pupil of several, he was, in truth,
an imitator of no one ; but having acquired a knowledge
of the rules of the art, he retired to his father’s mill, and
from the sombre interior of this mill, he is supposed to
have first caught the hint of that powerful opposition
of light and shade, which he subsequently carried to
such high perfection in his works, and hence he may
be said to have created a new Era in painting.
How long he continued to pursue his art, secluded
in his parental abode, ignorant of the precious talent
with which nature had endowed him, and the value of
his productions, can at this distance of time be only
matter of conjecture : but, according to Houbraken,
the first gratifying proof he received of the merit of
his production occurred at the Hague, about the year
1627 or 1628 ; whither he went for the purpose of
selling a picture he had just completed, and for which
an amateur of the city readily paid him one hundred
florins. Elated with joy at receiving a sum which then
appeared to him so considerable, instead of returning
home on foot, as he had arrived, he departed by the
diligence. During this journey an event occurred, of
the knowledge of which he was at the time wholly
ignorant, being entirely absorbed in the contemplation
and security of his treasure. The horses of the diligence
being neglected while the passengers were taking