Samuel van Hoogstraten was a Dutch painter and writer born in 1627 in Dordrecht, Netherlands. He was a prominent figure in the Dutch Golden Age of painting and is best known for his realistic still lifes and genre scenes. Van Hoogstraten was a pupil of the famous artist Rembrandt, which greatly influenced his style and technique. In addition to painting, van Hoogstraten was also an accomplished author. He wrote a notable book titled Introduction to the Academy of Painting, which discussed artistic techniques and the philosophy of art. He continued to create art until his death in 1678, leaving behind a legacy of both visual and literary contributions.