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)

PETER PAUL RUBENS.

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at Lovaine, but I purpose to goe shortly to Antwerp,
where I will not faile to emplye in all diligence with your
Lordship’s order, taking it to be ‘ aliquid boni propter
vicinuni bonum,’ to be emploied in your service whom my
frende and I soe much honour. I doe not see how (with all
the craft I have) I shall be able to make any other bargaine
with Rubens then for the chaine, his picture. The reste of
the money will procure two pictures of Breughel and Sniers
(Snyders), but they are like to be very little. That which
occurs to mee is, to deale by Rubens as for myself, who by
continual exchainge of works and truckings can get them to
doe something as for him, better cheape then any man els.
If any thing occurr better I will follow it; there is no harme
in proposing: They have in Antwerpe a yong Man who hath
lived long in Italy, who I think is the rarest man living in
Landscape. I am sorry I forgot to show your Lordship at
your being there. If your Lordship shall give mee order I
thinck a matter of twentie crownes would not be worse be-
stowed that way if you care for Landscapes then of any of
the reste.”
Letter the sixth, from Mr. Toby Mathews to Sir Dudley
Carleton. Dated Louvaine, April 24, 1617.
“ Noe more occurreth concerning your Lordship’s pictures,
but that your Lordship cannot have them all these two or
three months, and that Breughel hath two pieces in hand
almost finished, whereof the bigger is to be of fourteen
pounds sterlinge at the last word, it being a basket full of
ssowers : the lesser is a pot of ssowers and a garland of ssowers
lying by it, and the lowest price of that is twelve pounds.
Mr. Gage conceiveth the lesse much more exquisitely to be
done then the other, and desireth to know your minde.
Franck and Snyer have bothbegunne pictures for your Lord-
ship : Rubens is well forward, and it will be a rare piece.
The great piece of Huntinge is sold and carried away for an
hundred pounds sterling.”