First love! Why? We saw this work at the beginning of our collecting career and loved its power, the colours and the life size figures. We had no clue or even heard of caravaggism! This was the first of many works by northern caravaggists in the collection. The circa 30 pictures by Rombouts known today – of which only 12, including the one described here, are signed – were probably all painted after his return to Antwerp from Italy in 1625. Our painting, Musical company with Bacchus shows the artist’s self-portrait.