a town of Upper Guelderland, in the Netherlands, with a handsome castle. It is the chief town in the territory of the same name, and seated on the river Meuse, between Ruremond and Venlo, it being about five miles from each. It was ceded to the king of Prussia by the treaty of Utrecht. E. Long. 6. 13. N. Lat. 41. 22.

Kessel (John Van), an eminent painter, was born at Antwerp in 1626, and became exceedingly famous for painting those particular objects which he delighted to represent; and not only excelled in fruits and flowers, but was likewise eminent for painting portraits. In this manner he resembled Velvet Brueghel, and very near equalled him in his birds, plants, and flowers. The prodigious high prices for which he sold his works, occasioned the rich alone to be the purchasers; and the king of Spain admired the performances of Van Kessel to such a degree, that he purchased as many of them as he could possibly procure, till at last he prevailed on that artist to visit his court, where he was appointed painter to the queen, and was retained in her service as long as she lived. He painted portraits admirably, with a light free touch, and a tone of colour that very much resembled Vandyck; nor are his works in that style considered in Spain as inferior to that great master. He died in 1708, aged 82.