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Mr. H. C. F. No. 2.

placed on the left upon the back of a chair, engraved by Neefs. 330. Page 96. Portrait of the Wife of Francis Snyders, a lady of fair complexion, represented in a three-quarter view, with the head inclining downward; her dark hair is nearly concealed by a close white cap, and a broad full ruff adorns the neck. Now in the collection of Earl Warwick.

        An admirably finished study of the bust of the pre-

ceding portrait is in the Collection of the Honorable G. J. Vernon. 1 ft. 8 in. by 1 ft. 5 in. C.

        Extract from the Life and Work of Antoine Van Dyck by

Jules Guiffrey, page 112.

        "Also the portrait of Francois Snyders, without speaking

of his etched head one of the most pure jewels of art, was considered amongst the best canvases of Van Dyck at the Ex- position at manchester in 1857, according to the testimony of the best judges that work of Antoine that eclipsed all others without exception even the large paintings apart and the celebrated equestrian effegy of Charles I was the portrait of Snyders belonging to the Count of Carlisle. One should read the enthusiastic description by W. Burger. The closest critics do not hesitate to place this canvas alongside of the production of the greatest genius, and to place it among the marvels of painting. Near this Chef d'oevre was placed the wife of Snyders, yet a superb portrait, little inferior to a degree to that of the Master Franz. These two noble effigies being formerly in France in the gallery of d'Orlean having possessed both. They are never lost to us.

           The grave and sympathetic figure of Snyders is found

also in Munich and in excellent company. There also it eclipses all its neighbors. Decidedly friendships had brought happiness to Van Dyck. At Cassell, another excellent portrait of Snyders, until this time on the same canvas with that of his wife, presented half length as at Munich. At least without feeling himself under any restraint Antoine preferred to paint bust figures to that of full length. All the portrait of artists as are cut at the chest or waist. Another painting the family representing Snyders and his wife at St. Petersburg. Here the painter stands carelessly behind the sofa on which sits his wife. To repeat the opinion of connoisieurs who have visited the Hermitage, it is not given to many to match such a dream, this canvas being a new triumph of the painter.", and [end of page]