Gerrit Dou
To each his own style. The great Dutch master Gerrit Dou (1613-1675) was fond of the strictest order and cleanliness. He was capable of repeating an entire painting if a little dust or dirt was attached to the canvas. We know that only a few volunteers wanted to pose for such a perfectionist painter, the work sessions were endless and exhausting (the painting of a single hand could last a week). I have meet people like him. It is to Dou’s credit to have been the first pupil of an artist called Rembrandt. He also taught some outstanding painters such as Frans van Mieris and Gabriël Metsu. Within the Dutch school of painting, it seems difficult to find a painter who can compare to him, with his charm and quality.…