The Night School

Gerard Dou (1613-1675), oil on panel, c. 1660-1665

Light and dark, virtue and vice are juxtaposed here. Bathed in bright candlelight, a girl earnestly recites her lesson, while in the shadows the schoolmaster admonishes a boy. In the foreground, a second pupil, candle in hand, helps another with his schoolwork. The candlelight here symbolizes reason.

Artwork typepainting
Object numberSK-A-87
Dimensionsheight 74 cm x width 64 cm x thickness 5.5 cm
Physical characteristicsolieverf op paneel

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Identification

Title(s)
The Night School
Object type
Object number
SK-A-87
Inscriptions / marks
signature: ‘GDou’
Description
Light and dark, virtue and vice are juxtaposed here. Bathed in bright candlelight, a girl earnestly recites her lesson, while in the shadows the schoolmaster admonishes a boy. In the foreground, a second pupil, candle in hand, helps another with his schoolwork. The candlelight here symbolizes reason.
Catalogue reference
Kunstschrift 6 (1994), p. 24, 27, afb.

Creation

Creation
painter: Gerard Dou
Dating
c. 1660 - c. 1665
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Material and technique

Physcial description
olieverf op paneel
Material
Dimensions
height 74 cm x width 64 cm x thickness 5.5 cm

This work is about

Subject

Exhibitions

Acquisition and rights

Acquisition
purchase 1808
Ownership
Copyright
Public domain

Documentation

- Kunstschrift 6 (1994), p. 24, 27, afb.
- P. Hecht, Simiolus (1998) nr. 3, p. 171-172, afb.
- Kunstkronijk (1868), p. 55.

Related objects

Persistent URL

To refer to this object, please use the following persistent URL:
https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200109262