(Quintin), painter of history and portraits, was born at Antwerp in 1460, and for several years followed the trade of a blacksmith or farrier, at least till he was in his 20th year. Authors vary in their accounts of the cause of his quitting his first occupation, and attaching himself to the art of painting. Some affirm, that the first unfolding of his genius was occasioned by the sight of a print which accidentally was shown to him by a friend who came to pay him a visit while he was in a declining state of health from the labour of his former employment, and that by his copying the print with some degree of success, he was animated with a desire to learn the art of painting. Others say, he fell in love with a young woman of great beauty, the daughter of a painter, and they allege that love alone wrought the miracle, as he could have no prospect of obtaining her except by a distinguished merit in the profession of painting; for which reason he applied himself with incessant labour to study and practise the art, till he became so eminent as to be entitled to demand her in marriage, and he succeeded. Whatever truth may be in either of these accounts, it is certain that he appeared to have an uncommon genius; his manner was singular, not resembling the manner of any other master, and his pictures were strongly coloured and carefully finished, but yet they have somewhat dry and hard. By many competent judges it was believed, when they observed the strength of expression in some of his compositions, that if he had studied in Italy to acquire some knowledge of the antiques and the great masters of the Roman school, he would have proved one of the most eminent painters of the Low Countries. But he only imitated ordinary life; and seemed more inclined, or at least more qualified, to imitate the defects than the beauties of nature. Some historical compositions of this master deserve commendation; particularly a descent from the cross, which is in the cathedral at Antwerp; and it is justly admired for the spirit, skill, and delicacy of the whole. But the most remarkable and best known picture of Matsys, is that of the two misers in the gallery at Windsor. He died in 1529. He had a son, John; who painted in the same style and manner, but not with a reputation equal to his father; though many of his pictures are sold to unskilled purchasers for the paintings of Quintin. His most frequent subject was the representation of misers counting their gold, or bankers examining and weighing it.