Cardplayers at Candlelight
by DOU, Gerrit, Oil on wood
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.