Gerard van Honthorst was born in Utrecht in 1590.  He was a pupil of Abraham Bloemaert.  At the age of twenty he visited Rome and first became familiar with the original works of Raphael and Caravaggio, the latter of whom influenced him considerably in the use and qualities of concentrated light. He specialized in nocturnal scenes and candlelight effects.  It is largely through him that the influence of such strongly marked chiaroscuro reached Holland. 

In 1622 (showing 500 of 1107 characters).