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Maarten van Heemskerck

one exhibition in three museums

September 28, 2024 to January 19, 2025

The first ever retrospective on Maarten van Heemskerck (Heemskerk, 1498 - Haarlem, 1574) is on view at the Frans Hals Museum, Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar and Teylers Museum. Each museum shows - 450 years after his death - a period from the fascinating career of this influential and successful artist. Discover the expressive, theatrical and innovative work of this 16th-century master of the Northern Netherlands.

'Three magisterial exhibitions.' ● ● ● ● ● 
- NRC

'Without a doubt one of the most important exhibitions to be seen in the Netherlands this fall.'
- Telegraph

"Van Heemskerck was not only innovative within the world of art; he also played an important role in spreading Renaissance culture among the population.
- MUZE

"Maarten van Heemskerck was a successful innovator of painting in the sixteenth century.
-Parole

'At last the extravagant, un-Dutch work of the Renaissance painter is being appreciated.'
-Volkskrant

Frans Hals Museum: innovator with guts  
The Frans Hals Museum focuses on Heemskerck's early work, combined with that of contemporaries such as Jan van Scorel and Jan Gossart. From his religious paintings full of expression to his lifelike portraits of the rising middle class, complete with wrinkles. Heemskerck shows guts with his innovative, realistic way of painting. Absolute highlight in the Frans Hals Museum is the painting Saint Luke paints the Madonna (1532) that has been restored for this exhibition. During the intensive treatment, this impressive Biblical scene has been restored as much as possible to its original form and appearance. The large piece has been split into two parts, as it was set up by Heemskerck more than four centuries ago. In addition, the original background can be seen again.   

Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar: to Rome 
Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar recounts Heemskerck's trip to Italy and shows how that experience led to bold and, for the time, spectacular works. He arrives in Rome when the first ancient sculptures are excavated. There he is also introduced to the work of Michelangelo, Raphael and contemporaries. All this makes an enormous impression on Heemskerck. His style becomes even more expressive and very dynamic. Thus, he eventually grows to be the most important representative of the Italian Renaissance in the northern Netherlands.Maarten van Heemskerck lived and worked in Rome for more than four years from 1532, an experience that determined his career. The works of art and buildings in the Eternal City continued to inspire him throughout the rest of his life.  

Teylers Museum: pioneer on paper 
Back in Haarlem, Heemskerck, following the example of Italian artists, drew many designs, which were put into print by engravers. With over 60 prints in the Print Room, Teylers Museum shows Heemskerck's successful entrepreneurship: his prints were widely distributed and were a source of inspiration for Rembrandt, among others. In Italy, Heemskerck sees how masters such as Raphael have prints made of their work. This is how an artist can market his art to the general public. Heemskerck is the first artist in the northern Netherlands who creatively and innovatively disseminates Biblical representations and life lessons for citizens on a large scale. He gains international fame as a result. 

Practical information  
A free audio tour is available with the exhibition. 
During this exhibition, you pay a single supplement of €4.50 at the Frans Hals Museum Haarlem or Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar.

Exempt from the surcharge are:

  • Children up to age 18
  • Alkmaar pass holders
  • Friends Lottery VIP cardholders
  • ICOM cardholders
  • friends of the Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar
  • Free ticket Maarten van Heemskerck exhibition.

See more information on Maarten van Heemskerck, one exhibition in three museums at discoverkvanheemskerck.com.

For children
During the vacations there are creative workshops for little and big artists. Learn to sketch like Master Martin or craft The Beard of Martin. Participation is free and open to anyone with a valid ticket to the museum. Read more about these activities here. 

Lectures and activities 
Get to know Maarten van Heemskerck even better and visit one of the lectures and activities. Check out the TO DO page or sign up for one of the lectures by our cultural partners. 

Free Academy 
During the lecture, discover the expressive, theatrical and innovative work of this sixteenth-century master of the Northern Netherlands.
lecture by master storyteller Drs. Martijn Pieters 
December 12, 15.15 - 16.15 in Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar 
January 3, 2025 11.00-12.00 at Stedelijke Museum Alkmaar
Sign up here

HOVO Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam
Lecture by drs Monique Hanrath
Nov. 26, 2024 - 7:30 p.m. at university location.
Sign up here

MUZE 
Especially for members of AVRO TROS MUZE, Curator of Ancient Art Christi Klinkert will give a lecture in which she will take you through the work of Maarten van Heemskerck.
Join this event at the museum of your choice and visit the exhibition after the lecture. 
December 12, 13.30-15.00 in Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar.
Sign up here aan

Catalog
The exhibition will be accompanied by a richly illustrated catalog written by Ilja Veldman, internationally recognized Heemskerck expert. It is the first retrospective work on the artist. The publication is available in the three museum stores for €39.95.