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 8) (London: Smith and Son, 1837)

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OBSERVATIONS.

knowledge of the drawing of the human figure; but
although he succeeded sufficiently well not to offend
the eye, even of the critic, he was so sensible of his
defect, that he would sometimes jocosely say, that he
sold the landscapes and gave his figures into the
bargain. His deficiency in this department was
sometimes supplied by Filippo Lauri, Courtois, or
Jan Miel.
The pictures by Claude bear visible evidence that
they are the result of much thought, deliberation, and
cultivated taste. In their execution, both patience and
elaborate care are equally manifest. His best works
are painted throughout with a full body of colour,
and a liberal use of ultra-marine. He appears to
have commenced his operations entirely in grey, in
which that valuable colour is freely used; so that
when the super colours in the completion of the work
are applied, the silvery hues beneath contribute greatly
to the atmospheric effect, which constitutes one of the
chief charms in his pictures. It is also worthy of
notice, that the same careful attention to the details
is as observable in the half tones, shadows, and
distances, as in the more prominent and luminous
parts. Above all, the high quality of his genius is
best discovered, in the selecting of objects os the most
pleasing forms, tastefully grouping them together, so
as to produce, by the various combinations, a scene
replete with the most enchanting beauties. Such are
the productions of this inimitable artist.