Matthijs Naiveu

(Leiden 1647 - 1721 Amsterda)

A gentleman smoking in a shaded courtyard

Canvas, 45.7 x 39.4 cm

Signed and dated: M. Naiveu Fecit 1690

Mathijs Naiveu was a so-called fijnschilder. According to Arnold Houbraken, he joined the studio of Abraham Toorenvliet around 1665 in order to learn to draw. From 1667-69 Naiveu studied with Gerrit Dou, founder of the fijnschilder school.