Carel Fabritius

Magazine Antiques, Oct, 2004 by Miriam Kramer

The Dutch artist Carel Fabritius was born in 1622 and studied in Rembrandt van Rijn's Amsterdam studio. He later moved to Delft, where he was well known and became a syndic of the Guild of Saint Luke. His arrival coincided with, and perhaps helped to inaugurate, the beginning of a spectacular period of artistic growth in the city. Fabritius influenced the work of Pieter de Hooch, Johannes Vermeer, and Emanuel de Witte.

Fabritius is best known for his masterful handling of illumination and for his proficiency in many styles: he was equally at home in portraiture, genre, landscape, and still life. His career was cut tragically short when he died at the age of thirty-two in the explosion of the municipal arsenal, which was near his house and studio. Many of his works were destroyed in the explosion as well. Only about fifteen paintings remain that can be attributed firmly to him.

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The Mauritshuis in The Hague is mounting a retrospective of Fabritius's career, which brings together all his known works for the first time. It can be seen there until January 9, 2005, when it moves to the Staatliches Museum in Schwerin, Germany, where it will be on view from January 28 to May 16, 2005. The curators are Ariane van Suchtelen and Gero Seelig, who have written the exhibition catalogue. Published by Waanders Publishers in English and Dutch, it can be ordered by telephoning 31-70-302-3429. In the Netherlands the exhibition is sponsored by Siemens Nederland N. V.