Gallery Talk: Italy in the North—Maarten van Heemskerck, A Revolutionary Printmaker

Come discover the work of the leading Haarlem painter who represented the Italian Renaissance in the Northern Netherlands in the mid-16th century. Maarten van Heemskerck’s artistic style was profoundly shaped by his extended stay in Italy (1532–36/37), where he drew copies of ancient sculpture and architecture and studied the works of Michelangelo and other significant artists. Upon returning to the Netherlands, Van Heemskerck spread his Italianate manner through the medium of prints and at the same time revolutionized Dutch printmaking by establishing a professional approach to the technique. Rather than engraving his own works, he provided detailed pen-and-ink designs to professional printmakers, who would faithfully reproduce his intricate compositions. This talk focuses on a new installation in Gallery 2300.

This gallery talk is part of the New on View series, highlighting recent gallery installations and presenting new insights into recent acquisitions or old favorites.

Led by:Susanne Bartels, Stanley H. Durwood Foundation Curatorial Fellow, Division of European and American Art

Please check in with museum staff at the Visitor Services desk in the Calderwood Courtyard to request to join the gallery talk. Talks are limited to 18 people and are available on a first-come, first-served basis; no registration is required.