Artwork

Panel of an altarpiece with the Circumcision (inner wing) and the Resurrection (outer wing)

Panel of an altarpiece with the Circumcision (inner wing) and the Resurrection (outer wing) is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Master of Alkmaar. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

This panel painting, created in 1527 by the Master of Alkmaar, features two religious scenes: the Circumcision on the inner wing and the Resurrection on the outer wing. Executed in oil paint, it exemplifies the Northern Renaissance style.

Subject & Meaning

The inner wing depicts the Circumcision, showing a group gathered around a stone basin in a church interior, with a man in a tall hat holding a baby over the basin. The outer wing illustrates the Resurrection, though specific details of this scene are not provided. Both subjects are rooted in Christian religious narrative.

Technique & Style

The painting employs chiaroscuro, characterized by sharp light falling on faces and hands, creating contrasting dark and glowing areas. Figures are rendered with exaggerated, caricatured features, a hallmark of the Master of Alkmaar's style, possibly influenced by Geertgen tot Sint Jans.

History & Provenance

Attributed to the Master of Alkmaar, a Dutch painter active in the early 16th century, this work is linked to a series of panel paintings from Saint Lawrence in Alkmaar, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, depicting the Seven Works of Mercy.

Context

Part of the Northern Renaissance, this painting reflects the artistic and religious themes prevalent in early 16th-century Netherlands, with its use of oil paint and religious subjects typical of the period.

Legacy

While the Master of Alkmaar's identity remains uncertain, the work contributes to the understanding of Northern Renaissance art, particularly the evolution of style and technique among lesser-known artists of the time.