Letter XXXIII. MAEQUIS OF BUTE'S COLLECTION.
477
sils, with a young and very pretty girl busy scouring a kettle. This
little picture, 8 in. high and 7 in. wide, is far more powerful and
warm in tone, and more spirited in execution, than the usual pro-
ductions of this master.
A. de Pape.—A woman peeling apples ; a man standing by her.
In this harmonious, well-finished picture, De Pape nearly approaches
Gerard Dow.
Jan Verkolie.—A young gentleman and a young lady, with
a page. In keeping, warmth, and clearness of tone, and solidity
of execution, a capital specimen of this otherwise secondary master.
Inscribed 1707.
Peter de Hooge.—A room scene ; a man disputing with the
landlady about the bill ; two gentlemen in conversation with a
lady; a table near the window ; the sun shining through the
curtains. Inscribed "P. D. H. 1658." In light, clearness, and
force of chiaroscuro, a first-rate work of the master. From the
Braamcamp collection. 2 ft. 4 in. high, 2 ft. 1 in. wide.
Jan Steen.—1. A cock-fight; a composition of twelve figures,
full of spirited motives. An old man holding out his hand to a
young man, to receive payment of a bet, at which another is
laughing. In transparency of colouring, in spirited, and, at the
same time, careful execution, this is one of the finest works of the
master. 2 ft. 10 in. high, 3 ft. 9 in. wide.
2. Military stragglers plundering a farm. Most powerfully im-
pressive by its dramatic truth. The desperation of the farmer, who
would fain attack the soldiers with a pitchfork, but is held back by
his wife and child ; the insolence of the soldiers, one of whom cocks
his musket, while another fires at some pigeons, form a striking
contrast with two monks, who, while engaged in eating and drink-
ing, endeavour to make peace. Also very carefully executed.
1 ft. Si in. high, 1 ft. 8 in. wide.
3. A girl in white silk, and otherwise elegantly dressed, listening
with pleasure to a richly-dressed young man playing on the lute.
An old man, behind a pillar, is watching them. In such pictures,
which he rarely painted, Jan Steen very nearly equals Metzu in
transparency, power, and delicacy, while he excels him in dramatic
interest. 1 ft. 3 in. high, 1 ft. wide.
4. An ugly old woman bringing a letter to a young woman
elegantly dressed in silk. The figure of King David, who is seen
through the door, on a terrace, indicates that Bathsheba is the
477
sils, with a young and very pretty girl busy scouring a kettle. This
little picture, 8 in. high and 7 in. wide, is far more powerful and
warm in tone, and more spirited in execution, than the usual pro-
ductions of this master.
A. de Pape.—A woman peeling apples ; a man standing by her.
In this harmonious, well-finished picture, De Pape nearly approaches
Gerard Dow.
Jan Verkolie.—A young gentleman and a young lady, with
a page. In keeping, warmth, and clearness of tone, and solidity
of execution, a capital specimen of this otherwise secondary master.
Inscribed 1707.
Peter de Hooge.—A room scene ; a man disputing with the
landlady about the bill ; two gentlemen in conversation with a
lady; a table near the window ; the sun shining through the
curtains. Inscribed "P. D. H. 1658." In light, clearness, and
force of chiaroscuro, a first-rate work of the master. From the
Braamcamp collection. 2 ft. 4 in. high, 2 ft. 1 in. wide.
Jan Steen.—1. A cock-fight; a composition of twelve figures,
full of spirited motives. An old man holding out his hand to a
young man, to receive payment of a bet, at which another is
laughing. In transparency of colouring, in spirited, and, at the
same time, careful execution, this is one of the finest works of the
master. 2 ft. 10 in. high, 3 ft. 9 in. wide.
2. Military stragglers plundering a farm. Most powerfully im-
pressive by its dramatic truth. The desperation of the farmer, who
would fain attack the soldiers with a pitchfork, but is held back by
his wife and child ; the insolence of the soldiers, one of whom cocks
his musket, while another fires at some pigeons, form a striking
contrast with two monks, who, while engaged in eating and drink-
ing, endeavour to make peace. Also very carefully executed.
1 ft. Si in. high, 1 ft. 8 in. wide.
3. A girl in white silk, and otherwise elegantly dressed, listening
with pleasure to a richly-dressed young man playing on the lute.
An old man, behind a pillar, is watching them. In such pictures,
which he rarely painted, Jan Steen very nearly equals Metzu in
transparency, power, and delicacy, while he excels him in dramatic
interest. 1 ft. 3 in. high, 1 ft. wide.
4. An ugly old woman bringing a letter to a young woman
elegantly dressed in silk. The figure of King David, who is seen
through the door, on a terrace, indicates that Bathsheba is the