Godfried Schalcken

The master of candlelight, that's how Godfried Schalcken was known in his time. Indeed, his paintings often depict scenes illuminated by candlelight. Godfried Schalcken was a true specialist in this regard, and he had the artistic freedom to pursue this specialization because of his success. This specialization is also part of the fun part of art, as it provides an impression of how painting flourished in the 17th century.

The Life of Godfried Schalcken

Godfried Schalcken was born in 1643 in Made, not far from Geertruidenberg. His father was a renowned minister with a great knowledge of languages, which led him to become the rector of the Latin school in Dordrecht in 1654. It was in this city that Godfried Schalcken grew up. He learned painting from Samuel van Hoogstraten.

To further his education, Godfried Schalcken moved to Leiden in 1662, where he studied painting under Gerard Dou. In Leiden, Schalcken learned to work according to the principles of the Leiden School, with precision and patience. He continued to work in this tradition, but over time, Godfried Schalcken would develop differently.

In 1665, Godfried Schalcken returned to Dordrecht, initially as a bachelor. He married late, in 1679, to Françoise van Diemen from Breda. He was 36 at the time. The couple had seven children, but six of them died young, with only their daughter Françoise surviving. Despite this personal tragedy, he achieved success in his career, as he could make a living from his paintings. He also found success in England, where he worked for several years and had a well-established network.

Godfried Schalcken passed away in 1706, leaving his wife and daughter a substantial inheritance, a testament to his success and the popularity of his work.

Works by Godfried Schalcken

Especially in his early years, Godfried Schalcken remained relatively faithful to the ideals of the Leiden School: intricate details, vibrant use of color, and a luxurious approach to painting. However, his strength did not lie in technical finesse, and he did not surpass his mentor Gerard Dou. It is understandable that he eventually engaged with different themes and developed a different perspective on painting.

Characteristic of Godfried Schalcken's work are the effects of light. He used the unique effect of candlelight in the darkness not only in genre scenes but also in portraits. More than the fine painters of the Leiden School, Schalcken worked with space, and his canvases were measurably larger. In his time and in the decades following his death, the work of Godfried Schalcken was highly esteemed.

Godfried Schalcken & the Fun Part of Art

The specialist Godfried Schalcken excelled at what he did best. That alone shows that he found the fun part of art. In our videos, we shed a bright light on the work of Godfried Schalcken and the society in which he lived. Godfried Schalcken's unique voice offers us surprising insights into history.