Gerrit (Gerard) Dou 7th April, 1613 - 9th February, 1675

Gerrit (Gerard) Dou was the son of a stained glass artist so in his early years he trained in this artform. At the age of fourteen his father sent him to study in the workshop of Rembrandt who lived locally at the time. Here he learned a great deal and Rembrandt's influence is obvious in his early work. Dou acquired his skill in colouring and in the more subtle effects of chiaroscuro, but soon found his own style which varied from his teacher's.

He began to work in minute form, with extreme accuracy in colour and composition. He used a frame squared with silk thread when sketching his subjects but his work became less popular and sitters were unwilling to give him the time required. It is said that he would spend 5 hours on just one hand.

As he was working on such a small scale and the work was so fine, he began to manufacture his own brushes. Dou has over 200 paintings attributed to him and is considered one to be one of the finest painter of candlelight portraits.