Artwork
Left wing of a triptych with the donor Matelief Dammasz and St Paul (inner wing)
Left wing of a triptych with the donor Matelief Dammasz and St Paul (inner wing) is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Maarten van Heemskerck. It dates from 1564 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
The left panel of a three‑part altarpiece, executed in oil on wood, dates to 1564 and is attributed to the Dutch painter Maarten van Heemskerck. It presents a portrait scene within a broader religious composition, featuring Saint Paul together with a contemporary donor, whose identity is recorded in an inscription.
Subject & Meaning
In the foreground, Saint Paul, dressed in a white robe with a brown mantle, gestures outward, apparently addressing the seated figure. The donor, identified as Vincent Dammasz, is shown in a black, fur‑trimmed coat, holding a small object, perhaps a book or relic, indicating his piety and patronage.
Technique & Style
Heemskerck employs the Northern Renaissance tradition of detailed oil painting, rendering textures of fabric and fur with fine brushwork. The landscape background, with distant buildings and trees, reflects the Italianate influence he absorbed after his 1530s stay in Italy, while maintaining a clear, linear composition typical of Dutch art.
History & Provenance
The work forms the left wing of a larger triptych commissioned in the mid‑16th century. An inscription and a heraldic shield on a red cloth identify the donor’s family, linking the panel to the Dammasz lineage. The panel has remained associated with the original altarpiece, preserving its original context.
Context
The inclusion of a donor portrait alongside a saint follows a common practice in Catholic art of the period, allowing patrons to demonstrate devotion and secure spiritual intercession. The coat of arms serves both as a status symbol and a visual cue linking the donor to the work.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Maarten van Heemskerck (born Maerten Jacobsz van Veen; 1 June 1498 – 1 October 1574), also known as Marten Jacobsz Heemskerk van Veen, was a Dutch portrait and religious painter, who spent most of his career in Haarlem.
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