his arrangement of his subjects was
like that of the Italians; but his figures, even when he represented
Christ and the holiest men, were like Spanish kings or German peasants, or
somebody whom he had seen.

We have not space to speak in detail of the works of Rubens. Some critics
insist that one class of his pictures is best, and some another. Of course
this depends largely upon the taste of those who make the judgment. It is
certain that he was a wonderful painter, and many of his pictures give
great pleasure to those who visit the galleries where they are seen.

His pictures of children were so painted that they seem to have been done
from pure love of the work. His portraits are splendid, his _genre_ scenes
delightful, and his landscapes fine; in short, the amount and variety of
his work is a proof of his great genius and industry, such as can
scarcely be equalled in the history of painting. Yet it cannot be denied
that there is much incorrect drawing, unnatural coloring, and coarse, bad
taste in some of his works. On the other hand, the fertility of his
imagination, his bold design and effective execution, as well as his
brilliant color, are all to be admired, and the name of Rubens stands high
on the list of Flemish artists who are famous the world over.

[Illustration: FIG. 56.--THE RETURN FROM EGYPT. _By Rubens._]

FRANS SNYDERS (1579-1657) was born at Antwerp and lived in the time of
Rubens. He was a famous painter of animals, and it sometimes happened that
they worked together, Rubens painting the landscapes and figures and
Snyders the animals in the same pictures. Snyders, like Rubens, excelled
in representing animals in the most exciting moment of the combat or the
chase, and his pictures are full of life. They are seen in all large
European galleries, and are much prized.

JAN FYT (1609-1661), also born at Antwerp, is the greatest Flemish animal
painter after Snyders. His greyhounds cannot be equalled, while his live
dogs are wonderful; but his best pictures represent dead game. The fur and
feathers in his paintings are marvellously done, and his pictures are
among the best in the world in which such subjects are treated.

JACOB JORDAENS (1593-1678), another native of Antwerp, studied under Adam
van Noort at the same time with Rubens, but later in life he became a
follower and a sort of assistant of his former fellow-pupil. He married a
daughter of their old master and never visited Italy. His color wa