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Top 100 Most Influential Baroque Painters
The Baroque movement, born in Italy at the dawn of the 17th century under the impetus of the Counter-Reformation, marks a radical break with the balanced serenity of the Renaissance. It is an art of staging, instability, and raw emotion, designed to dazzle and captivate the viewer through dynamic compositions and a spectacular mastery of chiaroscuro. By exploring the tensions between shadow and light, the spiritual and the carnal, Baroque painters transformed the canvas into a living theater where the energy of moving bodies and the depth of psychological expressions create a sensory experience of unparalleled intensity.
This ranking of the 100 most significant Baroque artists illustrates the extraordinary diversity of a style that has adapted to the sensibilities of all of Europe. From the provocative naturalism of Caravaggio in Rome to the decorative splendor of Rubens in Antwerp, through the psychological realism of Rembrandt in Amsterdam and the solemn dignity of Velázquez in Madrid, Baroque takes on multiple faces. Whether expressed through illusionistic celestial ceilings or the mystical silence of a still life, this artistic heritage remains a testament to an era inhabited by a sense of drama, the quest for the grandiose, and an infinite fascination with the contrasts of the human condition.
1- Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi, 1571–1610)
Revolutionary painter of the late Renaissance, he transformed art through radical naturalism and dramatic chiaroscuro, giving his scenes an unprecedented realistic and emotional intensity.
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2- Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, (1606–1669)
Major painter of the Dutch Golden Age, he is recognized for the psychological depth of his portraits, the mastery of chiaroscuro, and an intimate exploration of the human condition.
3- Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640)
A major painter of Flemish Baroque, he has marked the history of art with the dynamic power of his compositions, the richness of his color, and the expressive exuberance of his figures.
4- Diego Velázquez (1599–1660)
Major painter of the Spanish Golden Age, he is recognized for his subtle realism, his mastery of light, and his ability to capture the human presence with depth and naturalness.
5- Johannes Vermeer (1632–1675)
Painter of the Dutch Golden Age, he is famous for his intimate scenes bathed in light, characterized by a rigorous composition, a silent atmosphere, and great chromatic finesse.
6- Artemisia Gentileschi (1593–circa 1656)
Italian Baroque painter, she distinguished herself by the dramatic strength of her compositions, a powerful chiaroscuro, and female figures of exceptional expressive intensity.
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7- Antoine van Dyck (1599–1641)
Flemish Baroque painter, he is famous for his elegant and refined portraits, combining psychological insight, nobility of drawing, and colorful virtuosity.
8- Francisco de Zurbarán (1598–1664)
Spanish baroque painter, he is recognized for the monumental sobriety of his compositions, the power of chiaroscuro, and the spiritual intensity of his religious works.
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9- Nicolas Poussin (1594–1665)
A major painter of French classicism, he founded a rigorous and intellectual art, based on the clarity of composition, the balance of forms, and the inspiration of Antiquity.
10- Annibale Carracci (1560–1609)
A major painter of the transition between mannerism and baroque, he renewed painting through a return to naturalism, classical harmony, and the expressive vitality of figures.
11- Guido Reni (1575–1642)
As a figure of baroque classicism, he favored elegance, clarity, and idealization in his religious compositions.
12- Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, 1591–1666)
Italian baroque painter, he distinguished himself by the expressive vigor of his figures, the dramatic use of light, and a great emotional intensity.
13- Pietro da Cortona (1596–1669)
Italian Baroque painter and architect, he is famous for his monumental and decorative compositions, characterized by spectacular dynamism, rich color, and theatrical staging.
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14- Luca Giordano (1634–1705)
Italian Baroque painter, he is recognized for his technical virtuosity, the speed of his execution, and his dynamic compositions with vibrant colors.
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15- Salvator Rosa (1615–1673)
Italian baroque painter, he distinguished himself with his wild and dramatic landscapes, as well as an expressive and independent style, blending poetry, rebellion, and emotional intensity.
16- Giovanni Battista Gaulli, known as Baciccio (1639–1709)
Italian baroque painter, he is famous for his spectacular illusionistic frescoes, blending light, movement, and theatricality in the service of a triumphant spirituality.
17- Andrea Pozzo (1642–1709)
Italian baroque painter and architect, he is famous for his illusionistic frescoes and his spectacular mastery of perspective, creating painted spaces with striking depth and dynamism.
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18- Orazio Gentileschi (1563–1639)
Italian Baroque painter, he distinguished himself with an elegant and luminous style, combining a naturalism inherited from Caravaggio with great finesse in drawing and color.
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19- Bernardo Strozzi (1581–1644)
Italian Baroque painter, he is recognized for the vigor of his brushwork, the richness of his color, and an expressive naturalism influenced by Caravaggism and the Venetian tradition.
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20- Mattia Preti (1613–1699)
Italian baroque painter, he distinguished himself with a dramatic and powerful style, marked by intense chiaroscuro, dynamic compositions, and strong narrative expressiveness.
21- Domenichino (Domenico Zampieri, 1581–1641)
Major painter of Italian baroque classicism, he is recognized for the clarity of his compositions, the harmonious balance of his figures, and a deep narrative sensitivity.
22- Carlo Dolci (1616–1686)
Florentine baroque painter, he is famous for the extreme finesse of his execution, the softness of his colors, and the intense piety that permeates his works.
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23- Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione (1609–1664)
Italian baroque painter and engraver, he distinguished himself by his innovative sense of composition, his taste for pastoral and animal scenes, and a great freedom of touch.
24- Carlo Maratta (1625–1713)
A major painter of Roman Baroque classicism, he perpetuated the ideal of clarity, balance, and nobility inherited from Raphael, exerting a lasting influence on academic painting.
25- Frans Hals (circa 1582–1666)
Painter of the Dutch Golden Age, he is famous for the vibrancy of his brushwork, the naturalness of his portraits, and his ability to capture the moment and the personality of his subjects.
26- Jacob Jordaens (1593–1678)
Flemish Baroque painter, he is known for his dynamic and warm scenes, characterized by great expressive vigor, a rich chromatic palette, and a powerful sense of storytelling.
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27- Jan Steen (1626–1679)
Painter of the Dutch Golden Age, he is famous for his lively and humorous genre scenes, blending social observation, expressive storytelling, and dynamic composition.
28- Pieter de Hooch (1629–1684)
Painter of the Dutch Golden Age, he is known for his calm and bright interior scenes, characterized by a remarkable mastery of space, light, and perspective.
29- Gerard van Honthorst (1592–1656)
Dutch Caravaggist painter, he is famous for his candlelit night scenes, blending dramatic chiaroscuro, vivid realism, and a marked theatrical sense.
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30- Hendrick Ter Brugghen (1588–1629)
Dutch Caravaggist painter, he distinguished himself by a powerful naturalism, marked light contrasts, and a direct expressiveness inspired by the art of Caravaggio.
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31- Adriaen van Ostade (1610–1685)
Painter of the Dutch Golden Age, he is known for his popular genre scenes depicting peasant life, characterized by lively observation, a warm tone, and expressive realism.
32- Jacob van Ruisdael (circa 1628–1682)
A major painter of the Dutch landscape, he is recognized for the expressive power of his views of nature, blending dramatic skies, changing lights, and a deep atmospheric sensitivity.
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33- Meindert Hobbema (1638–1709)
Painter of the Dutch landscape, he distinguished himself by his wooded scenes and paths animated by light, characterized by a clear composition and a vivid sense of depth.
34- Willem Kalf (1619–1693)
Painter of the Dutch Golden Age, he is famous for his sumptuous still lifes, characterized by a subtle mastery of light, materials, and reflections.
35- Judith Leyster (1609–1660)
Painter of the Dutch Golden Age, she distinguished herself with lively genre scenes and portraits, characterized by a free touch, a keen sense of movement, and great expressiveness.
36- Carel Fabritius (1622–1654)
Painter of the Dutch Golden Age, a student of Rembrandt, he is recognized for his innovative approach to perspective, his luminous sensitivity, and the poetic subtlety of his works.
37- Aelbert Cuyp (1620–1691)
Dutch landscape painter, he is famous for his bright and peaceful views, bathed in a golden atmosphere, harmoniously blending vast horizons, water, and sky.
38- Jan van Goyen (1596–1656)
Painter of the Dutch landscape, he distinguished himself by his sober and atmospheric compositions, characterized by a limited palette, a fluid touch, and a keen sense of light.
39- Gabriel Metsu (1629–1667)
Painter of the Dutch Golden Age, he is known for his refined genre scenes, blending elegance, psychological sensitivity, and a great mastery of color and light.
40- Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617–1682)
Spanish baroque painter, he is famous for the luminous softness of his painting, the tenderness of his figures, and a deeply human and spiritual sensitivity, particularly in his religious scenes and portraits of children.
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41- Juan de Valdés Leal (1622–1690)
Spanish Baroque painter, he is recognized for the dramatic and expressive strength of his works, marked by powerful compositions, intense chiaroscuro, and a striking vision of human vanity.
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42- Jusepe de Ribera (1591–1652)
Spanish Baroque painter active in Italy, he distinguished himself by a powerful naturalism, dramatic chiaroscuro, and an intense and realistic representation of human figures.
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43- Alonso Cano (1601–1667)
Spanish baroque artist, both painter, sculptor, and architect, he is recognized for the elegance of his drawing, the nobility of his figures, and a great spiritual intensity.
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44- Juan van der Hamen (1596–1631)
Spanish baroque painter, he is recognized for his refined still lifes and portraits, characterized by a rigorous composition, great descriptive precision, and an elegant sense of sobriety.
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45- Juan Carreño de Miranda (1614–1685)
Spanish baroque painter and court portraitist, he distinguished himself by the dignity of his figures, the sobriety of his palette, and a psychological insight inherited from Velázquez.
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46- Eustache Le Sueur (1616–1655)
Eustache Le Sueur (1616–1655) is a French classical painter of the 17th century, nicknamed the "French Raphael," known for his religious and mythological compositions imbued with clarity and harmony.
47- Claudio Coello (1642–1693)
Spanish baroque painter, he is recognized for his large religious and decorative compositions, blending chromatic richness, dynamism, and a strong spiritual expressiveness.
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48- Georges de La Tour (1593–1652)
French Baroque painter, he is famous for his intimate night scenes illuminated by candlelight, characterized by great sobriety, controlled light, and profound spiritual intensity.
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49- Claude Lorrain (1600–1682)
Major painter of the classical landscape, he idealized nature through harmonious compositions, bathed in a golden light and inspired by Antiquity, exerting a lasting influence on European painting.
50- Charles Le Brun (1619–1690)
A major painter and theorist of French classicism, he played a central role in academic art under Louis XIV, distinguished by his grand historical compositions, intellectual rigor, and sense of monumental staging.
51- Simon Vouet (1590–1649)
French Baroque painter, he introduced the Italian influences of the Baroque in France, blending decorative richness, dynamism of compositions, and elegance of drawing.
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52- Philippe de Champaigne (1602–1674)
A major painter of French classicism, he is recognized for the sobriety and rigor of his style, the spiritual depth of his religious works, and the psychological insight of his portraits.
53- Sébastien Bourdon (1616–1671)
French painter of the 17th century, he developed an eclectic style blending classicism and baroque, distinguished by the diversity of his subjects, the clarity of his compositions, and a solid mastery of drawing.
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54- Pierre Mignard (1612–1695)
French classical painter, he is famous for his elegant portraits and large decorative compositions, combining the grace of drawing, the softness of colors, and academic refinement.
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55- Valentin de Boulogne (1591–1632)
French Caravaggist painter, he distinguished himself by a powerful naturalism and marked dramatic intensity, blending chiaroscuro, raw realism, and emotional depth.
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56- Hyacinthe Rigaud (1659–1743)
Major portrait painter during the reign of Louis XIV, he is famous for his majestic and solemn effigies, combining meticulous realism, decorative richness, and the assertion of power and social rank.
57- Nicolas de Largillière (1656–1746)
French painter of the late 17th and early 18th century, he is known for his elegant and expressive portraits, characterized by a great chromatic richness and a lively presence of the subjects.
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58- Jean Jouvenet (1644–1717)
Late classical French painter, he distinguished himself by the expressive power of his large religious and historical compositions, combining baroque dynamism and academic rigor.
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59- Agostino Carracci (1557–1602)
Italian painter and engraver, founding member of the Bolognese school, he contributed to the revival of painting through the rigor of drawing, the study of nature, and a renewed classical ideal.
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60- Giovanni Lanfranco (1582–1647)
Italian Baroque painter, he is recognized for his dynamic compositions and illusionistic frescoes, characterized by a spectacular sense of movement, light, and space.
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61- Andrea Sacchi (1599–1661)
Italian baroque painter, a figure of Roman classicism, he is recognized for the clarity of his compositions, the nobility of his figures, and an ideal of sobriety and harmony inherited from Raphael.
62- Francesco Albani (1578–1660)
Italian Baroque painter of the Bolognese school, he is recognized for his elegant and graceful mythological scenes, characterized by harmonious compositions, a delicate touch, and a poetic atmosphere.
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63- Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696–1770)
Major Venetian painter of the 18th century, he is famous for his monumental and luminous frescoes, characterized by spectacular virtuosity, airy composition, and a brilliant theatrical sense.
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64- Giovanni Battista Salvi, known as Sassoferrato (1609–1685)
Italian baroque painter, he is famous for his idealized religious representations, marked by great formal purity, serene softness, and deep spiritual fervor.
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65- Francisco Herrera the Elder (circa 1576–1656)
Spanish Baroque painter, he distinguished himself by an energetic and expressive style, a vigorous touch, and a powerful naturalism that marked Andalusian painting of the 17th century.
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66- Francisco Herrera the Younger (1627–1685)
Spanish baroque painter, he distinguished himself with dynamic and decorative compositions, blending expressive vigor, Italian influences, and a marked theatrical sense.
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67- Vincenzo Carducci, known as Vicente Carducho (circa 1576–1638)
Spanish Baroque painter of Italian origin, he is known for his large religious and theoretical compositions, combining academic rigor, narrative clarity, and deep spirituality.
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68- Gerard ter Borch (1617–1681)
Painter of the Dutch Golden Age, he is known for his elegant and intimate genre scenes, characterized by great psychological finesse, a delicate touch, and a masterful rendering of fabrics.
69- Adriaen van de Velde (1636–1672)
Painter of the Dutch landscape, he distinguished himself with his bright pastoral scenes, blending delicate figures, harmony of compositions, and a sensitive observation of nature.
70- David Teniers the Younger (1610–1690)
Flemish painter of the 17th century, he is famous for his lively genre scenes and representations of peasant life, characterized by a vibrant touch, a keen narrative sense, and great expressiveness.
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71- Frans Snyders (1579–1657)
Flemish Baroque painter, he is famous for his hunting scenes, his animal still lifes, and market scenes, characterized by overflowing energy, great technical virtuosity, and a powerful observation of the living world.
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72- Jan Brueghel the Elder (1568–1625)
Flemish Baroque painter, he is recognized for the extreme finesse of his execution, the detailed richness of his landscapes and still lifes, and a close collaboration with great masters like Rubens.
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73- Jan Brueghel the Younger (1601–1678)
Flemish Baroque painter, he continued his father's legacy by developing refined landscapes and still lifes, characterized by great precision of detail and a luminous palette.
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74- Adriaen Brouwer (1605–1638)
Flemish painter of the 17th century, he is known for his intense and expressive genre scenes, depicting popular life and human passions with great freedom of touch and a strong emotional charge.
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75- Laurent de La Hyre (1606–1656)
French classical painter, he distinguished himself by the intellectual clarity of his compositions, the elegance of his drawing, and a serene and scholarly interpretation of mythological and religious subjects.
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76- Johann Liss (circa 1597–1631)
German baroque painter active in Italy, he distinguished himself with an energetic and expressive style, blending Venetian and Caravaggist influences in compositions with vibrant colors and strong dramatic impact.
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77- Adam Elsheimer (1578–1610)
German painter of the transition between the Renaissance and Baroque, he is famous for his small formats of great finesse, characterized by effects of nocturnal light, a poetic atmosphere, and a precise observation of nature.
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78- Joachim von Sandrart (1606–1688)
German Baroque painter and theorist, he distinguished himself as much by his works as by his writings on art, contributing to the dissemination of Italian models and to the structuring of artistic thought in Northern Europe.
79- Johann Heinrich Schönfeld (1609–1684)
German baroque painter, he distinguished himself with his dynamic and expressive compositions, blending Italian influences, a dramatic sense, and great freedom of movement in storytelling.
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80- Franz Anton Maulbertsch (1724–1796)
Austrian painter of the late Baroque, he is known for his energetic and expressive frescoes, characterized by a free touch, vibrant colors, and great dramatic intensity.
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81- Peter Lely (1618–1680)
Baroque painter of Dutch origin active in England, he is famous for his elegant court portraits, characterized by refined sensuality, graceful poses, and a fluid touch.
82- Godfrey Kneller (1646–1723)
Baroque painter of German origin active in England, he was the main portraitist of the English court, recognized for his elegant likenesses, his assured academic style, and his sense of official representation.
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83- Giovanni Battista Piazzetta (1682–1754)
Eighteenth-century Venetian painter, he is recognized for the expressive power of his chiaroscuro, the emotional depth of his figures, and an intense and meditative atmosphere.
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84- Sebastiano Ricci (1659–1734)
Late Baroque Venetian painter, he played a key role in the transition to Rococo with his elegant, luminous, and dynamic compositions, marked by great decorative freedom.
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85- Francesco Solimena (1657–1747)
Neapolitan baroque painter, he is known for his monumental and theatrical compositions, blending chromatic richness, dynamism of figures, and a strong dramatic intensity.
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86- Alessandro Magnasco (1667–1749)
Italian Baroque painter, he distinguished himself with a very expressive and energetic style, characterized by a swift brushstroke, dramatic contrasts, and scenes often imbued with tension, mystery, and social critique.
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87- Pier Francesco Mola (1612–1666)
Italian Baroque painter, he is known for his poetic landscapes and mythological scenes imbued with gentleness, characterized by a melancholic atmosphere and subtle light.
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88- Giuseppe Maria Crespi (1665–1747)
Italian Baroque painter, he is recognized for his genre and religious scenes with a vivid naturalism, characterized by a free touch, direct observation of everyday life, and strong expressiveness.
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89- Domenico Fetti (circa 1589–1623)
Italian Baroque painter, he distinguished himself with an expressive and intimate style, blending chiaroscuro, emotional sensitivity, and a personal interpretation of religious and biblical subjects.
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90- Tanzio da Varallo (Antonio d’Enrico, circa 1582–1633)
Italian baroque painter, he is recognized for his intense and dramatic naturalism, marked by the influence of Caravaggio, a powerful chiaroscuro and strong emotional expressiveness.
91- Bartolomeo Manfredi (1582–1622)
Italian Baroque painter, a major figure of Caravaggism, he spread a vigorous naturalism and dramatic chiaroscuro through genre scenes and powerful religious compositions.
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92- Hendrick Avercamp (1585–1634)
Painter of the Dutch Golden Age, he is famous for his lively winter scenes, depicting with finesse and vibrancy daily life on the frozen canals.
93- Dirck van Baburen (circa 1595–1624)
Dutch Caravaggist painter, he distinguished himself by a direct and vigorous naturalism, marked contrasts of light, and genre scenes with frank expressiveness.
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94- Michael Sweerts (1618–1664)
Flemish Baroque painter, he is known for his genre scenes and portraits imbued with calm realism, characterized by soft light, great sobriety, and profound humanity.
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95- Abraham Bloemaert (1566–1651)
A major painter of the transition between mannerism and baroque in the Netherlands, he distinguished himself by the richness of his drawing, the softness of his figures, and his essential role in the formation of an entire generation of Dutch artists.
96- Samuel van Hoogstraten (1627–1678)
Painter and theorist of the Dutch Golden Age, a student of Rembrandt, he is recognized for his research on perspective and illusionism, as well as for his interior scenes of great spatial subtlety.
97- Carlo Saraceni (circa 1579–1620)
Italian Baroque painter of Venetian origin, he distinguished himself with a refined Caravaggism, blending dramatic chiaroscuro, elegance of drawing, and a colorful sensitivity inherited from Venice.
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98- Giuseppe Cesari, known as the Cavalier d'Arpin (1568–1640)
Major painter of the late Roman mannerism, he is recognized for his ambitious large-scale decorations, his formal elegance, and his decisive influence on Roman painting of his time.
99- Bartolomeo Cavarozzi (1587–1625)
Italian Baroque painter, close to Caravaggism, he distinguished himself by a soft and luminous naturalism, great delicacy of execution, and an intimate and serene atmosphere.
100- Giuseppe Vermiglio (1585–1635)
Italian baroque painter, influenced by Caravaggio, he is recognized for his rigorous naturalism, marked light contrasts, and the expressive sobriety of his religious compositions.
