Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1914 edition. Excerpt: ... BRUSSELS MUSEUM 2. Aertsen, Pieter. The Cook. A strong piece of painting that might have excited the admiration of a Courbet or a Manet. The figure of the cook is superb in drawing, painting, and colour. What a statuesque figure it is! And what hands with their blackish edging! The boy in the central foreground is painted broadly and flatly. You will not see such drawing and handling elsewhere on the line here. The picture is art of a very decided and positive character. The strength of it is prodigious. Velasquez would have loved it. Look at the spitted fowl and the kettle. 705. The Cook. Another cook picture, but perhaps not so powerful as No. 2, though it is the same kind of drawing and painting. What drawing in the hard, bony head! And what strong hands and arms! The painter is a master of his craft, and yet he is still an unknown personality to the masses. Even the picture collectors know him only as "Long Peter," from his guild nickname. But his followers, Snyders and Fyt, with much less ability, are famous. 708. Christ in the House of Mary and Martha. Again what heads and hands! And what a massive figure with the basket! In giving the realism of the large truths of the scene it is excellent. Aertsen was a master far in advance of his times 6 BELLEGAMBE, JEAN 7 in producing this large realism. The moderns might study him and his pupil, Beuckelaer, with profit. 793. Ansano di Pietro. Madonna and Child. A fine panel of colour, with much richness of gold work. A recent acquisition (1913). 19. Bakhuysen, Ludolf. Storm on Norway Coast. It is just a bit too theatrical and panoramic to be convincing, though it was a mighty effort at a masterpiece, no doubt. 750. Balen the Elder, Henri van. Destruction of Sodom. A whole palette of colour...