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)

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SCHOLARS AND IMITATORS OF

but is disposed to adopt the former, it being in accordance
with the opinion of the authors of the catalogues of the Musee
at the Hague, and Amsterdam. The genius of this painter
was exclusively confined to landscape painting, and the views
he represented to those of his own country ; in most of them
a wide extent of flat lands is exhibited, most admirably
diversified with hamlets, corn, pasture, woods, and water,
over which the deep and broad shadows of floating fleecy
clouds, and the vivid rays of sunshine, sweep alternately in
delightful gradation : such is the breadth and mastery of
hand with which they are executed, combined with rich and
unctuous colouring, that they appear to be portions of real
nature, viewed through a window, rather than pictures. In
this respect they differ from those of his master, which, as
has already been observed, are rather vivid recollections of
nature, seen under peculiar effects, than real views; there
is also in the works of Rembrandt greater ambiguity in the
amalgamation of the colours, which are likewise more transpa-
rent, and richer in tone ; a further distinction may be observed
in the execution, which is more accidental in its style, and
consequently less mannered. One of his finest productions
is in the possession of Dr. Fletcher, of Gloucester, and a
second is in the Grosvenor collection. The figures which
embellish his pictures are usually by Lingelbach, or some
other contemporary artist.
He is supposed to have been born at Amsterdam, in 1619,
and died in 1689.
R. R. Drost. Little is known, either in this country or
France, of the works of this skilful scholar of Rembrandt, and,
perhaps, from this simple reason, that were they offered for
sale under a name so seldom heard of, no adequate price could
be obtained for them; whereas, with the name of Rembrandt
inscribed on them, a ready purchaser, with a suitable price, is
soon procured. By this it will readily be inferred, that he was