Around 1595 -1624 · Utrecht Caravaggio and genre painting

Dirck van Baburen brings saints, musicians and tavern figures closer to the viewer: clear light, frank gestures and powerful faces give Utrecht Caravaggio direct energy.

Born around 1595 in Wijk bij Duurstede, Dirck van Baburen trained in Utrecht before leaving for Rome around 1612 -1615. There he received religious commissions and discovered the work of Caravaggio as well as that of his disciples. Returning to Utrecht around 1620, he became with Hendrick ter Brugghen and Gerrit van Honthorst one of the city's main Caravaggios. His religious paintings retain a monumental gravity, while his musicians, players and tavern scenes adopt close framing and a willingly provocative presence. His religious paintings retain a monumental gravity, while his musicians, players and tavern scenes adopt close framing and a willingly provocative presence. His religious paintings retain a monumental gravity, while his musicians, players and tavern scenes adopt close framing and a willingly provocative presence. His religious paintings retain a monumental gravity, while his musicians, players and tavern scenes adopt close framing and a willingly provocative presence. His religious paintings retain a monumental gravity, while his musicians, players and tavern scenes adopt close framing and a willingly provocative presence. His religious paintings retain a monumental gravity, while his musicians, players and tavern scenes adopt close framing and a willingly provocative presence. His religious paintings retain a monumental gravity, while his musicians, players and tavern scenes adopt his influence continues in Dutch painting. The "Dirck van Baburen" selection notably compares L’Entremetteuse. His reading favors details.

Baburen places the scene within reach: light, gesture and gaze abolish the distance between the painting and the spectator.