The Adoration of the Shepherds; verso: Sketches

Maarten van Heemskerck was a Dutch painter and draughtsman, born in 1498 in the town of Heemskerk in North Holland. He is known for his religious and mythological paintings, as well as his architectural drawings and engravings. Van Heemskerck began his career as an apprentice to the painter Jacob Cornelisz van Oostsanen in Amsterdam. He later studied with Jan van Scorel, a painter influenced by Italian Renaissance art. Van Heemskerck was particularly interested in the work of Michelangelo and made several trips to Rome to study the artist's works. Van Heemskerck's paintings often featured complex compositions and dramatic lighting effects. He was also known for his skill in depicting architecture and produced many detailed drawings and engravings of buildings and ruins. One of Van Heemskerck's most famous works is his series of paintings depicting the life of Christ, which he created for the Sint-Janskerk in Haarlem. These paintings are remarkable for their vivid colours and dynamic compositions. Van Heemskerck died in Haarlem in 1574. His works can be found in museums and galleries around the world, including the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.