Hendrick Van Somer Paintings

Hendrick Van Somer, also known as Hendrick van Someren or Enrico Fiammingo, was a Baroque painter who is best known for his portraits and religious subjects. His exact birthplace is not well documented, but he is believed to have been born around 1607 in Northern Europe, possibly in the Netherlands. The moniker 'Fiammingo' suggests that he was of Flemish origin, as it translates to 'the Fleming' in Italian.

Van Somer likely received his artistic training in the Netherlands before moving to Italy, which was a common practice among Northern European artists seeking to enhance their skills and careers. He was active in Naples, which was under Spanish rule at the time and a vibrant artistic center, from around 1634 until his death in 1655. During this period, Naples was a melting pot of artistic styles, with Caravaggisti (followers of Caravaggio) influencing the artistic scene. However, Van Somer also integrated local traditions and the high-Baroque style into his work.

While Van Somer's early work is not well documented, his later paintings exhibit a clear understanding of the Neapolitan Baroque style, characterized by dramatic use of light and shadow, as well as a rich color palette. His portraits are particularly noted for their psychological depth and attention to detail, which were highly regarded by his contemporaries.

Unfortunately, much of Hendrick Van Somer's life and work have been overshadowed by the more dominant figures of the Baroque era, and his paintings are not as well known today. Nevertheless, his contributions to the art of portraiture and religious painting are recognized by art historians who specialize in the Baroque period, particularly in the context of the Neapolitan school. Van Somer's death is recorded in 1655 in Naples, and his works continue to be studied for their unique blend of Northern European and Italian artistic elements.