Born in Rotterdam, Johann Culverhouse immigrated to America in the mid-1800s and was based in New York City from 1849 to 1891. Though he was well known as a landscape painter, nighttime scenes with more than one light source were his hallmark. In this practice he was undoubtedly influenced by Caravaggio, the Italian master of chiaroscuro, and the French master of light, Georges de la Tour. Moonlit Market depicts an open-air market in Albany, New York. The full moon and candles in the market shops provide dramatic lighting effects.