Illustrated biography; or, Memoirs of the great and the good of all nations and all times; comprising sketches of eminent statesmen, philosophers, heroes, artists, reformers, philanthropists, mechanics, navigators, authors, poets, divines, soldiers, savans, etc . d every year at the least two thousand fivehundred florins. His style of painting, in the first years of his practice wasvery different from that of his latter time ; for his early performances were fin-ished highly and with a neat pencil, resembling those of Mieris ; but IIG after-ward assumed a style of coloring and handling as oppo
Illustrated biography; or, Memoirs of the great and the good of all nations and all times; comprising sketches of eminent statesmen, philosophers, heroes, artists, reformers, philanthropists, mechanics, navigators, authors, poets, divines, soldiers, savans, etc . d every year at the least two thousand fivehundred florins. His style of painting, in the first years of his practice wasvery different from that of his latter time ; for his early performances were fin-ished highly and with a neat pencil, resembling those of Mieris ; but IIG after-ward assumed a style of coloring and handling as opposite to it as possible,strong, bold, and with a degree of force that astonishes ; in which lit; has beenunexcelled by any artist, though Eckhout, and some of his besi disciples haveappioached very near him. In his first manner are, the mstoiical picture ofAhasuerus, Esther, and Haman ; the Woman taken in Adultery ; and St. Johnpreaching- in the Wilderness ; which are mentioned as being exquisitely finished,and yet touched with inexpressible fire and spirit. Houbraken seems to ascribemore real merit to his former than his latter works, although at that time; hepointed with amazing expedition. The invention of Rembrandt was very fer- 192 REMBRANDT VAN Portrait of Rembrandt Van Rbyn. REMBRANDT VAN RHYN. 193 tile, and his imagination lively and active ; but his composition, notwithstand-ing it was remarkable for strength of expression, was destitute of grandeur ;and although his genius was full of fire, yet he wanted elevation of thought, andhad little or no notion of grace or elegance. It has been said, that if Rembrandt had visited Rome, his taste would havebeen proportionally refined ; and that the knowledge of the antique, added tohis other eminent qualifications might have produced a master equal to the mostexalted character. But that this would certainly have been the effect of hisvisiting Italy may justly be doubted, when the prevalence of habit is consid-ered ; when
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, booksubjectbiography, bookyear18
