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Gerrit Dou: The Founder of the Leiden Fine Painters
Gerrit Dou (1613–1675) was one of the most celebrated and highly paid Dutch Golden Age painters. He is considered the founder and chief exponent of the Leiden fijnschilders (fine painters) school. Dou's work is characterized by its incredibly meticulous detail, enamel-smooth surfaces, and small scale, commanding astonishingly high prices from wealthy European collectors during his lifetime.
Early Life and Apprenticeship
Dou was born in Leiden and initially trained as a glass engraver. His life changed dramatically in 1628 when he became the first student of the young Rembrandt van Rijn. Although he studied with Rembrandt for only a few years, Dou absorbed his master's expertise in handling light and shadow. However, Dou soon rejected Rembrandt's broad, expressive brushwork, choosing instead a style of painstaking, miniature-like precision.
Style and Subject Matter
Dou’s style is the definition of fijnschilderij (fine painting), appealing to a wealthy clientele who valued technical perfection.
High Finish and Detail: Dou’s trademark was a near-invisible brushstroke and an intense focus on rendering textures—velvet, metal, glass, and skin—with extraordinary realism. His paintings often took days or weeks to complete, resulting in surfaces that look smooth as enamel.
Niches and Windows: He frequently employed a compositional device known as the niche, where the figure or scene is placed within an arched stone window. This provided a natural frame and allowed him to use trompe-l'œil effects (tricking the eye), where items like curtains or carpets seem to project out toward the viewer.
Night Scenes and Light: Dou was a master of artificial light, often painting small, dramatic night scenes illuminated by candles or lanterns. These works showcase his ability to use Rembrandtian chiaroscuro (strong contrast) to highlight intricate details, such as the reflection of light in an eye or on a polished brass object.
Gerrit Dou's dedication to minute detail and luminosity made him one of the most influential painters of the mid-17th century, establishing a tradition of technical excellence that lasted for generations.