HONTHORST, GERRIT VAN

(1590-1656)

Dutch painter; member of theUtrecht Caravaggistgroup. Honthorst was born in Utrecht and went toRomein c. 1610-1612 where he entered in the service of MárcheseVincenzo Giustiniani. He also worked for theMediciGrand Dukes of Tuscany, and CardinalScipione Borghese. While in the papal city, Honthorst painted mainly religious subjects in the Caravaggist mode. He was particularly fond of nocturnal scenes, withSamson and Delilah(c. 1615; Cleveland Museum of Art) andChrist before the High Priest(c. 1617; London, National Gallery) providing two examples. Upon his return to Utrecht in 1620, he changed togenre, as did most of the Utrecht Caravaggists. HisMerry Fiddler(1623; Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum) derives from Caravaggio's single male figures and musicians. Like Caravaggio'sBacchus(1595-1596;Florence, Uffizi), he offers the viewer a drink. This representation, however, lacks Caravaggio's erotic undertones, instead presenting a jolly, festive mood. The single musician type was popularized by Honthorst and the Utrecht Caravaggists in the Netherlands.