The Bloemaert Effect

Book excerpt: Celebrating the father of the Utrecht School, this record delves into the life of the extraordinary Dutch painter Abraham Bloemaert. A concise biography illustrates how he formed and experienced at least three important styles of art in his time: mannerism, Caravaggism, and classicism, producing works in nearly all possible genres. A presentation of this obscure artist’s accomplishments in a fantastic exhibition, this work demonstrates why Bloemaert had such a wide influence on painting in the northern Netherlands of the 17th century. Exploring his role as a teacher in addition to his exceptional talent for drawing, this book also examines the Utrecht specialty of painting cycles as well as specific pieces by Bloemaert, such as his altarpieces, religious and mythological works, genre scenes, landscapes, and still lifes.