One of the most remarkable painters of the Dutch seventeenth century, Gabriel Metsu (1629-1667) is the subject of the autumn exhibition at the National Gallery of Ireland. Gabriel Metsu: Rediscovered Master of the Dutch Golden Age’ brings together some 40 works from one of the most important genre painters of his age. A contemporary of Vermeer, Metsu painted scenes of everyday life as well as portraits, biblical scenes and still lifes.
The show displays a number of recently discovered and newly restored paintings. It features works on loan from the Louvre, Paris; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; National Gallery of Art, Washington; The Prado, Madrid; The National Gallery, London; Pinacoteca Capitolina, Rome, several museums in Germany (Dresden, Kassel, Berlin, Munich) and The Netherlands (Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam; Stedelijk Museum De Lakenhal, Leiden; Mauritshuis, The Hague).
Dr. Adriaan Waiboer, curator of the exhibition and editor of the accompanying catalogue says: “This exhibition is an opportunity to discover a lesser-known, but highly talented artist, whose work offers a unique window onto daily life in his time. Metsu was gifted with an unparalleled handling of the brush”.
Metsu is at the National Gallery from September 4 to December 5, at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam December 16, 2010 – 21 March 21, 2011 and the National Gallery of Art, Washington April 17, 2011 – July 24, 2011.