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 (Band 9): Supplement (London: Smith and Son, 1842)

236

PETER PAUL RUBENS.

that absolute refusall peradventure Rubens was the more
hastned, by reason that at the same time, the Duke of
Ariscott (Arschot) was in Antwerp, and in high termes to
buye the Huntinge peece. Howe it hath succeeded I knowe
not, but I rather thinke it is solde, for as the Painter es-
teemes it to be richly worth a hundred poundes in itself, soe
yet he will be glad of fowerscore, in regard of the errour
which now he acknowledgeth himselfe to have committed in
making the Picture soe very bigge, that none but great
princes have houses fitt to harige it up in, but howsoever his
resolute answer was that whether the Duke of Ariscott
bought it or no, he would not selle it a pennye under fower-
score Pound, whereof your chaine was nowe lastly valued in
Antwerpe but at fiftye.
“ Rubens for the gusto which he takes in that peece of
Huntinge is making another picture of it, but much lesse, for
whereas the great picture is eighteen foote long, and betwene
eleven and twelve foote high, this other is but ten foote long,
and seven foote highe : This latter Picture, if you like to
have for your chaine you may, and he undertakes to make it
of as much perfection as the other, if not more ; and if you
like the matche Mr. Gage will see that he shall performe it:
He hath already seen so much of it, as is done, and likes it
exceedingly, and saith he had rather give threescore Pounds
for this than fowerscore for the other, for besides that he
assureth himself that this will be better finished he saieth
that the other Picture is so bigge, as that it cannot be hunge
up in the House of lesse then a Prince. It may please your
Lordship to make what resolution you like beste, and you see
upon what reason I forbeare to send your chaine till I have
an answere hereunto.”
State Paper Office^ (Examined) Robt. Lemon,
Feb. 17, 1832. Deputy Keeper of State Papers.