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                            "The portrait of Francois Snyders ........ one of the most

pure jewels of art, was considered amongst the best canvases of Van Dyck at the Exposition at Manchester in 1857. According to the testimony of the best judges that work of Antoine 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 productions of the greatest genius, and to place it among the marvels of painting."

                         The portrait is also described in Smith's Catalogue Raisonne, 

Vol. 3 page 95. as follows:

                        "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 perfection in portraiture. The above is etched with variations by Van Dyck, and engraved with the left hand crossing the body by Meyssens. Col- lection 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 placed on the left upon the back of a chair, engraved by Neefs."

                        Lionel Cust, in his work on "Anthony Van Dyck" also makes

reference to this portrait on pp. 17 and 235:

                      "Foremost among Van Dyck's friends was Frans Snyders, the

animal painter, whose delicate wistful face Van Dyck took a special pleas- sure in painting. Van Dyck painted him and his wife, Margaretha De Vos, together in one picture now in the Cassel Gallery; also companion portraits of Snyders and his wife, which were formerly in the Orleans Collection, and are now separated, the portrait of Snyders finding a home in the collection of the Earl of Carlisle at Castle Howard, and that of his wife at Warwick Castle.

                       "The grave and sympathetic figure of Snyders is found also

in Munich and in excellent company. There also it eclipses all its neigh- bors. Decidedly friendships had brought happiness to Van Dyck.......... Another painting representing Snyders and his wife is 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."

                            "The portrait is described (with plates) by William Walton

in the Burlington Magazine XVI 301, as follows:

                            "At the sale of the Orleans collection in 1758, the two

portraits were separated, that of the painter being brought by the Earl of Carlisle and that of his wife by the Earl of Warwick. After this long in- terval, they are happily reunited, having been purchased by Mr. Frick from the galleries of Warwick Castle and Castle Howard.

                            Of the three or four portraits of Snyders which Van Dyck
                                        
                                         3. 

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