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To the READER.
SInce the Former Edition, I have receiv'd the Character of an In∣genious Gentleman Mr. Guil. de Ryck from those who have long known him, viz. From his first initiating into the Latine Tongue he was inclined to Drawing, and became Disciple to Quilenus of whom he learnt Drawing, Painting, Perspective and Architecture; not to men∣tion his Curious Skill in Enammel, Minuture &c. The Peice that first remark'd him was Mattias in the Cathedral in Antwerp in which the Veines, Muscles &c. in the Nudities proclame his Skill in Anatomy,
In the Chancery of Cortray he Painted the King of Spain on Horse∣back in Burnisht Armour, the City of Cortray below with a rising Sun; above Fame with two Angels one holding a Crown, the other a Scepter. On the Trophy's this Inscription. REGI HISP. CANCEL. CORT. DD. CC.
He was Invited to Brussels to Paint the Marquess de Grana and his Family in whole Lengths, and several of the first of that Court. At a certain Triumph at Antwerp amongst divers Triumphant Arches he Order'd One at his proper expence adorn'd with Festoons, at the top Oran∣ges, Pomegranats, Lawrels, &c. wherein were five Capital Pictures, three he made himself signifying Eclesia, Antwerpia and Rex Hisp. with this Cronicon. HISPANIAE REX, VERA EIDES VIVANT CLAMAT ANT VERPIA. all boldly Painted.
A Magdelen was carried to Rome and was so lik'd that he was sent for thither. He painted a Boy carrying Fruit and one comming behind him to steal some, after the way of Morelio, and was taken for his hand; he also painted the Judgment of Paris, for the Emperour after the manner of Possine.
At Dunkirk he Painted a Peice of St. Michael, and another of St. Benedict, and divers of his Pictures are now highly valued beyond Sea, for Judgment in Order, delicateness of Colouring, and a right Con∣sideration and agreablaness through the Whole.
But why need I goe so far from home since we have divers Peices in England which proclaime his Skill, as a Magdelen at my Lady Wincelsea's, and others by the Life at divers Persons of Qualities, and Eminent Merchant's in the City, Remarkable for likeness, fastness of Colouring, not only keeping their Colour but improving their beauty by time.
And his most Ingenious Daughter Mrs. Katherine comes behind none of her Fair Sex in the Art, her Paintings by the Life very like, soft, Tender, well order'd, the Figures Gentle and Colouring Beautifull to the great Honour of her Sex.
And now Reader, I shall not Insist upon Answering what I thought might be Objected, as in my Former, since it past so well with all its faults, only ask thy Excuse that the Errata's are continued, as Mr. Vande Bank, for Mr. Van de Vert, page, 25 &c. The reason being because I had not time to look over it till it was Printed.
Vale.