Nicolas Régnier

Nicolas Régnier, a French painter born in 1591 in Maubeuge, was a prominent figure of the Baroque movement. He trained under Abraham Janssens in Antwerp before moving to Rome around 1615, where he became associated with the Caravaggisti, a group of artists influenced by Caravaggio's dramatic use of light and shadow. Régnier's work is characterized by its dynamic compositions and vivid realism, contributing significantly to the spread of Caravaggism beyond Italy. In the 1620s, he relocated to Venice, where he continued to paint and also became an art dealer, further influencing the art market of his time. Régnier's oeuvre includes religious and genre scenes, and his works are noted for their theatricality and emotional intensity. He died in Venice in 1667, leaving behind a legacy that bridged the artistic traditions of Northern and Southern Europe.