QUINTIN ETATSYS, a celebrated painter of the early Flemish school. He was b. at Antwerp about 1460, and is generally known by the name of the blacksmith of Antwerp, from having followed that trade in early life. The romantic story so long connected with this artist's name, of his having adopted the profession of painting in order to obtain the hand of a painter's daughter, is founded on nothing more authentic than the verses of Lampsonius, affixed to his portra:t by Jerome Cock (1510-70). and the inscrip tion ou his monument in the cathedral at Antwerp, "Connubialis Amor de Mulcibere fecit Apellem." The fact of his admission into the printers' fraternity of St. Luke in 1491-92, is proved by an entry in the register of that body. It appears from two authen tic documents that he was alive on July 8, 1530, but had died previous to Oct. 12, 1581. In the works of this distinguished painter, art is exhibited as transitionary between the style of Van Eyck and Rubens—his aim being, without neglecting the accessory details.
to give more importance to the human figure, and more unity and effect to the general composition of his picture. Albert Mira and Holhein thought highly of his works; among them, the best is an altar-piece with two folding-doors or wings. at one time in the cathedral, now in the picture-gallery at Antwerp, and one of the clierfe-d'ccuvre of that collection. It is specially referred to by sir Joshua Reynolds in his Notes on his Tour through Flanders and Holland. Quintin Matsys was on intimate terms with Erasmus, sir Thomas More, and Petrus LEgidius. Many elaborate specimens of ornamental iron work are attributed to this artist; but from the facts connected with his career as a painter, it may be inferred that he merely furnished designs for the works in iron referred to.