_Jan Fyt_ (Flemish: 1611-1661).
Fyt--painter and etcher of animals--was a pupil of Snyders,
whom in some respects he excelled. The sale catalogues of the
greater part of the nineteenth century show that his works
were little appreciated, but recent criticism has given him a
very high place among the animal and still-life painters of
his country. "Fyt's work," says Sir F. Burton, "is perfect in
its kind, exhibiting the finest observation of nature, and an
execution which unites the greatest mastery with the utmost
delicacy. His composition is unconstrained, and the colouring
and tone of his pictures are most pleasing." He was born at
Antwerp, where, after some years' residence in Italy, he became
Dean of the Painters' Guild.