Gerard Thomas (1663âÂÂ1721) was a late Flemish Baroque painter who specialized in studio and picture gallery interiors. He became a master in Antwerp's Guild of St. Luke in 1688âÂÂ89, and was dean twice. Many of his paintings reflect a trend in Antwerp painting around 1700 that shows artistsâÂÂoften historical masters from earlier in the century like Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck or Jacob JordaensâÂÂin their studios, surrounded by paintings and sculptures, and teaching the craft to a young apprentice. The masters are often only hinted by the works of art pictured in the painting itself, however.