DOU, Gerrit
(b. 1613, Leiden, d. 1675, Leiden)

Cardplayers at Candlelight

c. 1660
Oil on wood
Residenzgalerie, Salzburg

Dou can be credited with starting a hardy vogue around the middle of the century for small pictures of nocturnal scenes lit by candlelight or lanterns, which usually throw a harsh red light. In this group the incident depicted - children at school, card players, a group around a table - is usually more important than the dramatic potential of the chiaroscuro.