DUTCH SCHOOL 0000000000 VAN OSTADE.....00000000 HAGUE MUSEUM.

THE BALLAD SINGER.

Van Ostade's picture are remarkable for their faithful delineation of nature. The artist has here represented a scene that way be often repeated, and in which a ballad singer is endeavouring to amuse the listening peasants, so as to induce them to give him some trifling pieces of money.

In this picture three groups are seen, well disposed and offering happy contrasts. The spot of the scene is shaded by a tree, and by tufted hop plants twining around their poles. The light, gliding through the foliage, strikes vividly on the wall in the middle of the picture and spreads insensibly with an admirable degradation. The general tone is clear, the transparent leafing casts on all the objects a greenish reflection which delightfully blends with mellow colours. This greenish hue, which was usual to Van Ostade, here becomes a great beauty, on account of the foliage that explains it, and of the strong light that animates the picture. The wall, the door, and the ground, offer a faithful colouring, bright tones, delicate demitints, and finished details. The figure of the jolly peasant is perhaps too equally illumined, and a little more force in it might be wished; but this slight defect, if it is one, does not hurt the general harmony.

This picture forms part of the Museum at the Hague : it is painted on wood, and bears Ostade's signature, with the date 1673; the artist was therefore 63 years old. It has been engraved by Bovinet.

Height, 18 inches; width, 17 inches.

!