Matthias Stom
Encyclopedia
Matthias Stom or Matthias Stomer (c. 1600–after 1652) was a Dutch golden age
painter
, considered being one of the masters of the Utrecht Caravaggism. Besides Stom and Stomer he has been referred to as Matthias Stohom / Stomma, Matheo Schem and Matteo Tomar. Stom spent most of his artistic life in Italy, and 200 of his works have been preserved.
or in the Utrecht area, but the details of his life are at times rather vague. An early mention of Stom was around 1630 due to his living in the same location as Paulus Bor
had lived a few years earlier. He was a pupil of Gerard van Honthorst
in Rome after 1615. He remained in Rome until 1632, after which he traveled to Naples, where he stayed until 1640. He then moved to Palermo
, and delivered paintings for churches in Caccamo
and Monreale
. He sold three paintings to Antonio Ruffo, duke of Messina. It is not known where he died, perhaps in Sicily, but also Northern Italy is a possibility, because in 1652 he painted an altar piece for the church in Chiuduno
.
His son or grandson, Mattia (il giovane) Stomer (1649–1702), also was a painter.
painter Caravaggio
and his followers, utilizing their mastery of chiaroscuro
. His work typically features religious scenes. He is appreciated for his psychology and claylike treatment of face. He did not initiate the baroque movement like his counterpart Caravaggio
, but helped bring it to new heights and splendor.
Dutch Golden Age
The Golden Age was a period in Dutch history, roughly spanning the 17th century, in which Dutch trade, science, military and art were among the most acclaimed in the world. The first half is characterised by the Eighty Years' War till 1648...
painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
, considered being one of the masters of the Utrecht Caravaggism. Besides Stom and Stomer he has been referred to as Matthias Stohom / Stomma, Matheo Schem and Matteo Tomar. Stom spent most of his artistic life in Italy, and 200 of his works have been preserved.
Life
It is conjectured that Stom was born at AmersfoortAmersfoort
Amersfoort is a municipality and the second largest city of the province of Utrecht in central Netherlands. The city is growing quickly but has a well-preserved and protected medieval centre. Amersfoort is one of the largest railway junctions in the country, because of its location on two of the...
or in the Utrecht area, but the details of his life are at times rather vague. An early mention of Stom was around 1630 due to his living in the same location as Paulus Bor
Paulus Bor
Paulus Bor was a Dutch painter.Bor was descended from a notable Catholic family. He made a study trip to Rome, where he was one of the founders of the Bentvueghels, taking the nickname Orlando...
had lived a few years earlier. He was a pupil of Gerard van Honthorst
Gerard van Honthorst
Gerard van Honthorst , also known as Gerrit van Honthorst and in Italy as Gherardo delle Notti for his nighttime candlelit subjects, was a Dutch Golden Age painter from Utrecht.-Biography:...
in Rome after 1615. He remained in Rome until 1632, after which he traveled to Naples, where he stayed until 1640. He then moved to Palermo
Palermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
, and delivered paintings for churches in Caccamo
Caccamo
Caccamo is a town and comune located on the Tyrrhenian coast of Sicily in the Province of Palermo.-History:The official founding of Caccamo was not until 1093, when the Normans began building the castle on a rocky spur overlooking a cliff. The castle itself is actually now being slowly converted...
and Monreale
Monreale
Monreale is a town and comune in the province of Palermo, in Sicily, Italy, on the slope of Monte Caputo, overlooking the very fertile valley called "La Conca d'oro" , famed for its orange, olive and almond trees, the produce of which is exported in large quantities...
. He sold three paintings to Antonio Ruffo, duke of Messina. It is not known where he died, perhaps in Sicily, but also Northern Italy is a possibility, because in 1652 he painted an altar piece for the church in Chiuduno
Chiuduno
Chiuduno is a comune in the Province of Bergamo in the Italian region of Lombardy, located about 60 km northeast of Milan and about 15 km southeast of Bergamo, mid way between the Bergamo plain and the Valcalepio....
.
His son or grandson, Mattia (il giovane) Stomer (1649–1702), also was a painter.
Style
Stom was influenced by the BaroqueBaroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
painter Caravaggio
Caravaggio
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was an Italian artist active in Rome, Naples, Malta, and Sicily between 1593 and 1610. His paintings, which combine a realistic observation of the human state, both physical and emotional, with a dramatic use of lighting, had a formative influence on the Baroque...
and his followers, utilizing their mastery of chiaroscuro
Chiaroscuro
Chiaroscuro in art is "an Italian term which literally means 'light-dark'. In paintings the description refers to clear tonal contrasts which are often used to suggest the volume and modelling of the subjects depicted"....
. His work typically features religious scenes. He is appreciated for his psychology and claylike treatment of face. He did not initiate the baroque movement like his counterpart Caravaggio
Caravaggio
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was an Italian artist active in Rome, Naples, Malta, and Sicily between 1593 and 1610. His paintings, which combine a realistic observation of the human state, both physical and emotional, with a dramatic use of lighting, had a formative influence on the Baroque...
, but helped bring it to new heights and splendor.