Excerpt from Biographical Dictionary of Painters, Sculptors, Engravers, and Architects, From the Earliest Ages to the Present Time, Vol. 2 of 2: Interspersed With Original Anecdotes
He studied those animals after nature; and with exceeding care observed all their motions, actions, and different attitudes, till he designed them with great readiness, and with such a character of truth, that he gained the reputation of being a good painter in that particular style.-Houb.
Maas (Arnold Van), a Flemish painter, born about 1620. He was a disciple of David Teniers, from whom he acquired the art of imitating simple nature. The meetings, dances, weddings, and conversations of villagers and boors are his general subjects, which he executed with spirit and humour. But, having an earnest desire to improve his taste, he travelled to Italy, and studied there profitably for some years; though he reaped no advantage from his labours or abilities; for before he could enjoy the fruits of his study, application, and singular merit, he died on his journey, returning to his own country. However a great number of his drawings and designs are still preserved in the collections of the curious.-Sand., Pilk.
Maas (Nicholas), a Dutch portrait painter, born at Dort in 1632, and died in 1693, aged 61. He was instructed in the school of Rembrandt; yet he soon quitted the manner when he quitted the academy of that eminent master, for he found the ladies of his time were too delicate to approve of the dark style of Rembrandt's colouring in their portraits, though it had abundance of force. He had a ready pencil and a very spirited touch, which proved very advantageous to him in portrait painting, to which he confined his hand, and in that way was so very successful, that it was even doubted whether any other painter in that style was ever more fortunate in hitting a likeness. He was continually employed, and his works so earnestly solicited, that it was accounted a favour to procure a portrait from him. It is recorded of this master, that happening one day to visit Jordaens, in order to take a view of his paintings, and being exceedingly struck with their beauty, Jordaens, addressing Maas, asked him what were the subjects he painted. Maas, in a little confusion, answered, "that he was a painter of portraits." To which the other replied, "I pity you most sincerely, brother artist, for being a martyr to that style of painting, where, let your merit be ever so great, you are condemned to suffer the whim, the folly, the impertinence, and also the ignorance, of such a number of both sexes."-Sandrart.
Mabuse or Malbeugius (John de), an historical and portrait painter, born at Maubeuge in 1499, and died in 1562, aged 63. No mention is made from what master this artist derived his knowledge of the art of painting; but in his youth he was laborious in his practice, and his principal studies were after nature, by which he acquired considerable truth in his compositions. To improve himself in his profession he travelled to Italy, and became an artist of great repute in his time. He had a good pencil, and finished his pictures highly, with great care; yet notwithstanding his studies in Italy, and the correctness of his design, he never could arrive at the elegance of the Roman school. His manner was dry, stiff, and laboured, but he was exceedingly industrious in giving a polished smoothness to his colouring.
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