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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painting,” observes his lordship, “ is described in all the best
books of travels* in the Low Countries, as also in the cata-
logue of Messrs. Braamkamp and Van Lankeren, WE are re-
lieved from the arduous TASK which might otherwise have
been imposed upon us of endeavouring to describe, however
faintly, its manisold excellences ; conscious as WE moreover are,
that any terms of language that we could call to our aid
would only serve to weaken the impressions of awe and admi-
ration that must be awakened in the breast of every beholder,
when in the presence of this divine work of almost superhuman
perfection? “ It is not art but nature that we admire in
forms so full of life.” His lordship then labours to prove
that his picture is very superior to one representing the same
subject in the collection of the Prince of Orange, + “ inferior
in the number of figures, and be it said with becoming humi-
lity, but nevertheless with unshaken confidence, that it is also
inferior in importance when compared with OUR picture.”
After indulging in some severe invectives on the author of the
Catalogue Raisonne, his lordship boldly observes, “ The pic-
ture however is now brought into court, it is put upon its
trial; its judges are the public, to whom it confidently ap-
peals for a reversal of Mr. Smith’s unjust sentence; and it
also prays that a verdict of acquittal be recorded in open
court, from the unfounded aspersions cast upon it by those
who have conspired against its character and fame.” How
do you think, reader, that this noble and confident declara-
tion was fulfilled ? Why, instead of a fair, impartial, and
unreserved appeal to the public, the picture was announced
by the auctioneers (Messrs. Christie and Manson) at a
reserved sum of 1,000 gs. No advance being made, it was as
usual declared three times, and passed. The picture, there-
fore, remains in his lordship’s collection.
* The names of the authors of these books are not mentioned.
f Now the King of Holland.
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