Pieter Pietersz. Lastman was probably born in Amsterdam; he is recorded as having studied with G. P. Sweelinck. By 1604 Lastman was in Italy; he worked in Rome. He returned to Amsterdam by 1607, and worked there for the rest of his life. He was the city's leading history painter. Rembrandt was Lastman's most famous pupil.
Pieter Lastman
1583 - 1633
Works by Pieter Lastman
Stories of the misdeeds of the Greek and Roman gods were popular subjects for paintings in the seventeenth century. Pieter Lastman had been to Rome and seen the innovative paintings of Caravaggio and his followers. He takes on their use of chiaroscuro – the dramatic use of light and shadow – and...
This vibrant painting shows the Holy Family resting on their journey to Egypt. Matthew’s Gospel tells us Joseph was warned in a dream to flee with Mary and baby Jesus to escape King Herod.The baby looks at us with a wise expression, his head ringed with golden light showing he is God’s son. Josep...