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

Subject & Meaning

This inner wing of a triptych functions as a donor portrait, prominently featuring Vincent Dammasz alongside the Apostle Paul.

This inner wing of a triptych functions as a donor portrait, prominently featuring Vincent Dammasz alongside the Apostle Paul. The inclusion of Paul serves a dual purpose: it identifies the donor's personal devotion to this specific saint while likely alluding to a shared name or patronage, a common convention in Netherlandish religious art of the period. The composition also incorporates a coat of arms, which acts as a heraldic symbol to assert the donor's family lineage and social status within the sacred context.

By placing the living donor in the immediate presence of a holy figure, the work visually represents the donor's piety and his hope for intercession, bridging the earthly and divine realms through the medium of oil paint on panel.

Technique & Style

The Left wing of a triptych with the donor Matelief Dammasz and St Paul (inner wing) is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel support. Measuring 126 cm in height and 76.5 cm in width, the work reflects Maarten van Heemskerck’s refined handling of the medium, typical of Netherlandish portraiture in the mid-16th century.

The technique emphasizes meticulous detail, particularly in the rendering of textures, such as the donor’s garments and St. Paul’s drapery, while maintaining a balanced composition. The panel’s surface retains its structural integrity, though the condition is not explicitly detailed in the sources. Stylistically, the painting aligns with the Northern Renaissance emphasis on precise draftsmanship and naturalistic representation, integrating portraiture with religious iconography.

History & Provenance

Maarten van Heemskerck created this oil-on-panel painting in 1564. The work depicts the donor Vincent Dammasz alongside Saint Paul. Historically, the panel was owned by Jan Pieter Six VI and subsequently by Jan Six VII.

It is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it has been displayed at the Town Hall of Delft. The artwork was also included in the exhibition titled "To Rome."

The painting is housed in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam under inventory number SK-A-482. It was part of the collection of Jan Pieter Six VI and later Jan Six VII before being incorporated into the museum's holdings. The work was included in the exhibition "To Rome" which highlighted its provenance and artistic significance.

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.

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.

Wing of Lazarus triptych with donor and Saint James, Aertgen van Leyden

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Artist & collection

Artist

Maarten van Heemskerck

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.