Matthias Stom or Matthias Stomer was a Dutch golden age painter considered one of the masters of Utrecht Caravaggism. His work typically features religious scenes.
Background
It is conjectured that Matthias Stom was born at Amersfoort or in the Utrecht area, but many details of his life are vague. An early mention of Stom was around 1630, when he lived in the same location as Paulus Bor had lived a few years earlier.
Education
He was a pupil of Gerard van Honthorst in Rome after 1615.
Career
He remained in Rome until 1632, after which he traveled to Naples, where he stayed until 1640. He then moved to Palermo, and delivered paintings for churches in Caccamo and Monreale. He sold three paintings to Antonio Ruffo, duke of Messina.
Stom was influenced by the Baroque painter Caravaggio and his followers, utilizing their mastery of chiaroscuro.
It is speculated that he died in Sicily, or alternatively in Northern Italy, where in 1652 he painted an altar piece for the church in Chiuduno.