Gerard van Kuijl (Gorinchem 1604-1673)

Gerard van Kuijl was trained by Gerard van Honthorst in Utrecht. He is documented as working in Honthorst's studio in 1625. After his apprenticeship Van Kuijl followed the example of his teacher by setting out for Rome. There he became a member of the Bentveughels with the nickname Stijgbeugel, or Stirrup. In 1632 he was back in his native Gorinchem and until his death in 1673 he worked both there and in Utrecht. As one of the so-called Dutch Caravaggist painters, he specialized mainly in history painting, but he is also known to have painted portraits. Like his teacher Van Honthorst, later in his career Van Kuijl abandoned the Caravaggesque chiaroscuro for a brighter palette, as can be seen in the present composition.