Portrait of Machtelt Suijs

A composed sitter is surrounded by details that quietly connect northern portraiture with the visual culture of Rome.

What to notice

Look from the tense hands to the classical mask and coat of arms; texture and symbolism carry as much information as the face.

Discover

Heemskerck returned from Rome with a deep interest in antiquity and Italian art. In this portrait those influences meet the meticulous surfaces and social specificity associated with northern European painting.