DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22424#0145
Letter III. LORD OVEKSTONE'S COLLECTION.
131
the red tiles. The chiaroscuro of the view beyond, with the steps
and trees, is admirable-. Formerly in the collection of Mr. Wells
of Redleaf.
Teniers.—1. An alchemist in his laboratory, seated before his
hearth blowing the fire beneath a crucible. In the background
are two other alchemists. 1 ft. 6^ in. high, 1 ft. 1^ in. wide. Of
masterly treatment, and of the utmost delicacy of the cool tones
which pervade the whole picture. Formerly in the possession of
Baron James Rothschild of Paris.
Rembrandt.—1. A landscape exhibiting an extensive view
over the flat country of Holland. A river, commencing from the
foreground, winds through the scene and is lost in the distance ;
in the foreground, on the left, are cottages surrounded by trees,
and farther back a windmill under the deep shadow of dark rainy
clouds, with which the sky is covered. A few clouds and the
horizon are dimly lighted by a gleam of sunshine, which falls also
on a sandy hill; a loftier hill is in the distance. The solitude of
the scene is only disturbed by a few figures. One figure is
standing before the nearest cottage, another stands in the doorway,
and in the river in front are some men in a boat. The scene is
enriched in its different planes of distance by a multitude of
details—trees, bushes, meadows, &c. On canvas. 4 ft. 3^ in. high,
5 ft. 5 in. wide. Of the twenty landscapes, or thereabouts, which
are known to be by the hand of Rembrandt, this is far the largest,
and at the same time one of the finest examples. The spectator
scarcely knows whether most to admire the poetic feeling of a
melancholy grandeur which pervades this picture, or the masterly
execution with which it is expressed. The transparency with
which every portion, and even the deepest shadow, is rendered,
shows Rembrandt to be the greatest master in chiaroscuro of the
whole Netherlandish school; at the same time the treatment is as
marrowy as it is juicy—as broad as it is careful. This landscape
doubtless served as model to Philip de Koningk and Ruysdael in
those pictures in which they have expressed the peculiar charm of
a widely-extended flat distance. In 1825 it was in the collection
of Count de Vence at Paris. Engraved by De Marcenay.
Isaac van Ostade.— 1. View of a country inn, at which a
gentleman has just arrived and dismounted from a grey cob
horse ; his back is turned towards the spectator, and he appears to
k 2
131
the red tiles. The chiaroscuro of the view beyond, with the steps
and trees, is admirable-. Formerly in the collection of Mr. Wells
of Redleaf.
Teniers.—1. An alchemist in his laboratory, seated before his
hearth blowing the fire beneath a crucible. In the background
are two other alchemists. 1 ft. 6^ in. high, 1 ft. 1^ in. wide. Of
masterly treatment, and of the utmost delicacy of the cool tones
which pervade the whole picture. Formerly in the possession of
Baron James Rothschild of Paris.
Rembrandt.—1. A landscape exhibiting an extensive view
over the flat country of Holland. A river, commencing from the
foreground, winds through the scene and is lost in the distance ;
in the foreground, on the left, are cottages surrounded by trees,
and farther back a windmill under the deep shadow of dark rainy
clouds, with which the sky is covered. A few clouds and the
horizon are dimly lighted by a gleam of sunshine, which falls also
on a sandy hill; a loftier hill is in the distance. The solitude of
the scene is only disturbed by a few figures. One figure is
standing before the nearest cottage, another stands in the doorway,
and in the river in front are some men in a boat. The scene is
enriched in its different planes of distance by a multitude of
details—trees, bushes, meadows, &c. On canvas. 4 ft. 3^ in. high,
5 ft. 5 in. wide. Of the twenty landscapes, or thereabouts, which
are known to be by the hand of Rembrandt, this is far the largest,
and at the same time one of the finest examples. The spectator
scarcely knows whether most to admire the poetic feeling of a
melancholy grandeur which pervades this picture, or the masterly
execution with which it is expressed. The transparency with
which every portion, and even the deepest shadow, is rendered,
shows Rembrandt to be the greatest master in chiaroscuro of the
whole Netherlandish school; at the same time the treatment is as
marrowy as it is juicy—as broad as it is careful. This landscape
doubtless served as model to Philip de Koningk and Ruysdael in
those pictures in which they have expressed the peculiar charm of
a widely-extended flat distance. In 1825 it was in the collection
of Count de Vence at Paris. Engraved by De Marcenay.
Isaac van Ostade.— 1. View of a country inn, at which a
gentleman has just arrived and dismounted from a grey cob
horse ; his back is turned towards the spectator, and he appears to
k 2