Page:Hofstede de Groot catalogue raisonné, Volume 1, 1908.djvu/293

 ii GABRIEL METSU 269 quarrelling with a woman who sits on the handle of a barrow of vegetables, with her back to the spectator. From the left comes a man with a crate of fowls on his shoulders and a stick in his left hand. The most prominent figure is that of a pretty young girl with a market pail on her arm, who stands to the right facing the spectator, and turns towards a young cavalier who stands behind her laughing and paying her compliments. A citizen farther back watches the couple. In the shadow to the left a woman is making purchases at a booth. In the right background a fisherman is bargaining with a market-woman seated at her stall. Beyond them is a sailing boat on the canal. In the right foreground is a long-haired dog watching a cock that stands on a basket. Near it is a tub full of turnips, cauliflowers, and other vegetables, with a hen. It is an excellent work, but it is in an exceedingly damaged condition. The trees are not, on the whole, well rendered ; it is obvious that Metsu was no landscape painter. The figures in the centre are the best. Sm. says (1833): "This capital picture has had the reputation of being the chef cCoewure of the master, and the large prices for which it has been sold go far to confirm that opinion. The writer, however, can by no means subscribe to it, for there are several described in this work that possess much higher claims to the admiration of the connoisseur." Signed " Metsu " on a letter lying on the ground to the right ; canvas, 38 inches by 32^ inches. Described by Descamps. Engraved by David, and in the " Musee Francais." Sales. Blondel de Gagny, Paris, December 10, 1776, No. 107 (25,800 francs). Madame Geoffrin, Paris (28,000 francs). Paris, 1783 (18,051 francs). In the collection of King Louis XVI. Now in the Louvre, 1900 catalogue, No. 2458 (formerly No. 292). 50. A Man sitting on a Barrow of Vegetables. In a forecourt* before a large building a man sits on a barrow of vegetables, conversing with a man and a woman who stand beside him. Near them is a pretty girl wearing a red jacket trimmed with fur. Through an open gateway at the back is seen a hilly landscape with figures. It recalls the work of J. B. Weenix. Signed in full ; canvas, 30 inches by 26 inches. Sale. J. J. de Bruyn, Amsterdam, September 12, 1798, No. 33 (1340 florins, Yver). Now in the collection of the Due de Broglie, Paris. 51. A Market-Place. In a market-place, with a street leading from it, numerous people are buying and selling. In the right foreground a woman sits at her vegetable-stall conversing with a man who stands before her. Panel, 24 inches by 40^ inches. Sale. Wyl von Wymetal and others, Cologne, June 14, 1895, No. 154. 52. A BAKER AT HIS DOOR BLOWING A HORN (or, Hot