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M. KNOEDLER & CO., 355 FIFTH AVENUE,

     NEW YORK. 

PARIS. 23 PLACE VENDÔME. LONDON. 15 OLD BOND STREET. FILE THIS CABLE ADDRESSES } NEW YORK and send me KNOEDLER } PARIS two copies of ? 10/2 initial

                                         LONDON
                                                                            September 28, 1909. 

Mr. H. C. Frick,

            Prides Crossing, Mass. 

Dear Sir: —

             The history of the two paintings by Van Dyck,

"Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Snyders:", are as follows:

             Extracts from "Art Treasures in Great Britain, Waagen,

Vol. II, page 500." 1. Dyck, Antony Van, "Portrait of the Painter Frans Snyders. Seen. Earl Carlisle, 400 gs. Castle Howard." Vol. III, page 213 and page 319. Van Dyck-2. "The wife of Frans Snyders, in a white cap and a broad ruff. The handsome face is painted in his earlier style, with great simplicity of feeling, in a very clear tone, resembling that of Rubens. Formerly in the Orleans Gallery." Page 213.

   2-Van Dyck.-"The portrait of Frans Snyders the painter; 

three-quarter view, the head leaning a little on one side, in a lace ruff and black silk dress; his hands resting on a chair. The background a landscape. To the knees. 4 ft. 2 in. high, 3 ft. 1 in. wide. This picture was painted in the Netherlands shortly before Van Dyck came to England. The Noble conception, with which a slight trace of melan- choly is blended, the admirable drawing, (for instance, the foreshortened ear), the masterly modelling, the gradation in a warm, clear, yellowish tone, nearly akin to that of Rubens, and the simplicity of the forms, render this not only one of the very finest portraits by Van Dyck, but entitle it to rank with the most celebrated portraits by Raphael, Titian or Holbein." Page 319.

           "Smith's Catalogue Raisonne of the Works of Dutch,

Flemish and French Painters", Vol. 3, page 95. 329. "Portrait of Francis Snyders when about forty-five years of age. His fine oval intelligent countenance is seen in a three-quarter view, and the head inclines to the right shoulder; the dress consists of a black silk figured vest, relieved by a lace collar, and a large cloak covers the right shoulder and hangs on the back of a chair which stands in front, on which both the hands are placed; a hat hangs on the corner of the chair. 4 ft. 2 in. by 3 ft. 1 in. C. Engraved by Dequevauviller. This is an example of per- fection in portraiture. The above is etched with variations by Van Dyck, and engraved with the left hand crossing the body by Meyssens. Collection of the Duc d'Orleans, 1798, 400 gs. Now in the collection of the Earl of Carlisle. There is also a print of the preceding, in which the right hand is [end of page]