HEMSKERCK, EGBERT, called the Old, a cele-
brated Flemish painter of humorous conversations, of
whom, though so universally known, we have no infor-
mation as to the time in which he flourished, or the
school in which he was taught. Though the taste of
his compositions is but low, yet it ought to be considered
that he took his subjects from nature; from persons
in the meanest occupations, whose dress, actions, and
manners, could not furnish the imagination with any
ideas of elegance: and to express their passions and un-
disguised humours, seems to have been the utmost of his
ambition. By frequenting fairs, merry-meetings, gam-
ing-houses, and inns, he acquired a surprising power of
connecting humorous circumstances. He designed and
drew correctly, and his pictures have a strong effect
from his accurate management of the chiaroscuro.
Some of his pictures have suffered from unskilful clean-
ers, and many things are sold as his which dishonour
him; but his genuine works, well preserved, have a
clearness and force equal to any of the Flemish ar-
tists.