Young Drinker

One of the “Utrecht caravaggisti”, Honthorst (nicknamed in Rome “Gherardo della Notte”) was especially noted for his artificially lit history and genre scenes.
His oeuvre is remarkable for the diversity of its subjects. Productive, skilful and acclaimed throughout Europe, he was known for his erotically charged genre paintings.
The Young Drinker turns invitingly towards the viewer. He pauses for a moment, just having filled the Berkmeyer glass, the stone jug still in his hand. This intimate scene seems spotlighted by the partially hidden candle- flame. The unusual close-up draws on the earthy naturalism of his admired model in Rome. The anatomically unconvincing position of the drinker’s arm has in the past given rise to discussion of the authorship.
As he enjoys his wine, the young man with the reddened nose is looking at erotic pictures. His book, brightly lit, is open at a page showing Minerva being trampled upon by Bacchus, Amor and the naked Venus – the triumph of lust and drunkenness over wisdom and scholarship (M. Dekiert). This variation on the subject of the irresponsible student among the whores is in the tradition of the moralising 17th century student iconography. In this picture, however, there is no indication that the lighthearted frivolity will soon turn into remorse.

OEHRING Erika: Honthorst Gerard (Gerrit) van, Young drinker, in: DUCKE Astrid, HABERSATTER Thomas, OEHRING Erika: Masterworks. Residenzgalerie Salzburg. Salzburg 2015, p. 46