On Fire: Artificial Light and Self-Reflexivity in Utrecht Painting, 1600-1630

Dr. Natasha Seaman

Professor of Art History, Rhode Island College

In Europe before 1600, although nights were illuminated by candles and firelight, daylight scenes remained the norm in paintings. At the turn of the century, interest in nocturnal scenes grew rapidly, sparked by Caravaggio’s experiments in chiaroscuro, despite his rare depiction of artificial light. Candlelight paintings flourished particularly in Utrecht in the Dutch Republic. Previous scholarship has often treated artificial lighting superficially, either as stylistic innovation or emblematic symbolism. This lecture situates depictions of candle- and firelight within Netherlandish art theory, exploring how artificial illumination, as the agent of visibility, underscores the artist’s control over the image. Despite their naturalism, these paintings foreground artifice, highlighting the artist’s skill and creative performance. Additionally, the depicted flame acquires shifting meanings depending on the context of each painting.

This lecture series is supported with the generous support of the late Alfred Bader (1924-2018).