Jean de Boulogne Valentin Paintings

Jean de Boulogne Valentin, known more commonly as Valentin de Boulogne or Le Valentin, was a French painter during the early seventeenth century, known for his powerful and emotional Baroque works. Born in the small town of Coulommiers, near Boulogne, around 1591, Valentin is often considered one of the most important followers of Caravaggio, whom he likely never met, but whose work profoundly influenced his style.

Valentin moved to Italy in his early twenties and spent most of his career in Rome. There, he became part of a group of artists known as the 'Caravaggisti,' who were inspired by Caravaggio’s dramatic use of chiaroscuro and his focus on realism and the human condition. Valentin's paintings often depict genre scenes, religious subjects, and figures from everyday life, rendered with a strong sense of naturalism and a particular attention to the effects of light and shadow.

Despite his talent, Valentin de Boulogne led a life marked by poverty and hardship. He was known for his bohemian lifestyle and reportedly died prematurely at the age of 41 in Rome, from complications related to his lifestyle or a sudden illness. His exact date of death is recorded as August 19, 1632. The body of work he left behind, although not vast, was highly influential and is regarded for its emotional depth and technical mastery. His works can be found in several major museums around the world, including the Louvre in Paris and the Vatican Museums.