Gerrit Dou (1613 - 1675) Gerrit Dou was one of the most famous of all dutch painters until the beginning of the 19th century. He trained with Rembrandt, whose influence shows in his early works. His fame depended on his minutely painted scenes of everyday life, often represented in arched stone openings, like 'A Poulterer's Shop'; these are sometimes called 'niche' paintings. Trompe l’œil techniques were a hallmark of his style, creating illusions that blurred the boundaries between reality and artifice. Life Gerrit Dou was born in Leiden on April 7, 1613, the son of Marytje Jansdr van Rose…