VAN OSTADE. - ADRIAN VAN OSTADE was born at Lubeck, in the year 1610, which gave birth to David Teniers, of whom he may be considered as the rival. He was a disciple of Francis Hals, but fixed on a style and manner peculiar to himself. The subjects which he chose to paint were always of the low kind-Village Dances-the Interior of Farm Houses-Tippling Houses, &c. It was in these places that Ostade grouped his characters, which are generally fat peasants, drunken smokers, and women occupied in rustic pursuits. On comparing his works with those of Teniers, it is perceptible that the latter, at times, embellished nature; while Ostade, on the contrary, depictured life as it appeared in the lower classes of mankind, without endeavouring to improve it. But, like Teniers, he displays, in his smaller compositions, as much spirit as truth, and exhibits such delicacy of pencil, transparency, warmth, and variety in his colouring, and so conversant does he seem with the actions, habits, and characters of his figures, that even while many of his objects are rather disgusting, a spectator cannot forbear admiring his genius and his execution. Ostade, though born in Germany, belongs to the Flemish school, having formed his talent in Flanders. While in the school of Francis Hals, he became acquainted with Brouwer, with whom he contracted a most intimate friendship. Brouwer was a painter of some celebrity, but unfortunate in his pursuits:-he repaid the consolation he derived from his friend, by very excellent advice. Ostade established himself, at first, at Haerlem, where he remained until the armies of Louis the Fourteenth threatened the invasion of the Low Countries. The artist, terrified by the approaches of war, abandoned a place in which his fortune and reputation took its rise. He took his family with him, and was desirous of returning to Lubeck; but, on his passage to Amsterdam, he met with an opulent individual, who had such ascendancy over him as to allay his fears, and induce him to take up his residence in that capital. It was there that he extended his reputation, amassed considerable wealth by his assiduity and labour, and terminated his career at the advanced age of seventy-five. He married a woman who brought him a numerous offspring, and made him happy in his family. In the Museum, at Paris, there is an excellent picture, painted by himself, in which he is represented holding the hand of his wife, surrounded by his eight children. The air of satisfaction depictured on his countenance, proves that it was in his domestic enjoyments that he placed his felicity. Isaac Van Ostade, his brother and pupil, who died when young, was an artist of considerable eminence; some of his productions having been attributed to Adrian. The works of the latter are exceedingly scarce, especially those of his best time and manner; and such as are genuine, when offered for sale, fetch uncommon prices. |