Valentin de Boulogne facts for kids

Soldiers Playing Cards and Dice (The Cheats), painted around 1618–1620 by Valentin de Boulogne.

Valentin de Boulogne (born before January 3, 1591 – died August 19, 1632) was a French painter. He was also known as Le Valentin. He painted in a style called tenebrism, which uses strong contrasts of light and dark.

Early Life and Family

Valentin was born in Coulommiers, France. He was baptized on January 3, 1591. This means he was likely born in 1590. His family name, Boulogne, probably came from Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France. His family had lived in Coulommiers since at least 1489. Valentin's father, also named Valentin, was a painter. His uncle Jean was also a painter.

Life and Art in Italy

Fortune-teller with Soldiers by Valentin de Boulogne.

It is believed that Valentin first learned to paint in his father's studio. Later, he moved to Paris or Fontainebleau. After that, he traveled to Italy. Records show Valentin was in Italy in 1620. He lived in the area of Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome.

Learning from Master Painters

While studying in Italy, Valentin was influenced by famous artists. These included Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio and Bartolomeo Manfredi. He also studied under Simon Vouet, a leading French painter. Vouet's early works also showed Caravaggio's influence.

Caravaggio used a bold, realistic style. He focused on showing the human side of people. His paintings used strong light and shadow, called chiaroscuro. This made his art look very dramatic. Many artists from all over Europe followed Caravaggio's style.

Manfredi was another Italian painter. He was known as one of Caravaggio's closest followers. Manfredi often painted scenes in taverns. These paintings showed everyday people. He also used dramatic lighting in his later works.

Joining the Bentvueghels

Valentin joined a group of artists called the Bentvueghels. This was an unofficial group of mostly Flemish artists living in Rome. They were known for being lively. Valentin was given the nickname "innamorato" by the group. This nickname likely referred to his own name.

Valentin's Unique Style

Valentin became very good at painting scenes with groups of people. These often showed fortune tellers, drinkers, or gamblers around a table. About 75 of his paintings still exist today. Valentin's art shows a deep understanding of people's feelings. He was also very skilled in his painting technique.

One of his famous paintings is Fortune Teller with Soldiers. It shows young soldiers with a fortune teller. One soldier is watching her read his palm. Behind the fortune teller, a shadowy figure is stealing her purse. At the same time, a small child is pickpocketing the thief. This painting shows how one person's fortune can be told while another's is being stolen.

Valentin also taught other artists. His students included Pierre de Francqueville and Nicolas Tournier.

Death

Valentin de Boulogne is said to have died after swimming in the very cold waters of the Fontana del Tritone. This fountain is located in Piazza Barberini in Rome.

Gallery

• Selection of Valentin de Boulogne's works
• 

  St John the Baptist in the Desert

• 

  Rafaello Menicucci

• 

  Denial of Saint Peter

• 

  Christ and the Adulteress

• 

  Last Supper

• 

  Musicians and Soldiers

See also

In Spanish: Valentin de Boulogne para niños