Summary: highlighting the art of Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Vermeer in the context of the 17th century. Caravaggio's revolutionary use of chiaroscuro and realism challenged traditional religious art, often causing scandal but also influencing a generation of painters. Rembrandt's mastery of light and shadow, combined with his profound insight into the human soul, created timeless and deeply emotive portraits. Vermeer's exquisite attention to detail and use of color saturation in quiet domestic scenes elevated him to a master of genre painting. These artists navigated the tumultuous religious and political landscape of their time, each leaving a lasting impact on the evolution of painting in the 17th century, setting the stage for future artistic movements.