Room 0.4. The waning of the Middle Ages
The room with the Seven Works of Mercy and the Saint Elisabeth’s Day Flood. And the ten ‘weepers’. Plus Maarten van Heemskerck.
The Seven Works of Mercy
Master of Alkmaar
Every time we passed by this painting, my parents had to drag me along. There is so much to see here. It’s a time machine.
On display in room 0.4
The Seven Works of Mercy
Master of Alkmaar
‘Give liberally to the poor, God will have mercy on you in return’. Adam Smith would agree: always keep a keen eye on your own advantage.
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The Seven Works of Mercy
Master of Alkmaar
I can feel the wood on my hands, when closing the hatches of the windows. Separated by five centuries and yet: tactile proximity.
The Seven Works of Mercy
Master of Alkmaar
Refreshing the thirsty. As in the other panels, Jesus observes what is going on. He knew a thing (or two) about multiplying bread and wine.
The Seven Works of Mercy
Master of Alkmaar
In this case I would like an expert to fill and reconstruct the damaged faces. It is as if the grave diggers wear masks.
The Seven Works of Mercy
Master of Alkmaar
Lodging the travellers. ‘Introducing Airbnb Plus: A new selection of the highest quality homes, with hosts who are known for great reviews‘.
The Seven Works of Mercy
Master of Alkmaar
Sick people are rare in paintings. A certain ‘Tineke’ made a Rijksstudio-collection called ‘zieke vrouwen’. Have a look, though it is sad.
The Seven Works of Mercy
Master of Alkmaar
My mother, a retired school teacher, sent presents to American murderers on death row. I did not like that. Maybe it was good for her soul.
The Saint Elizabeth’s Day Flood
Master of the St Elizabeth Panels
The look of Google Earth. It reminds the Dutch of the 1953 flooding. Part of a religious piece, yet it feels like a secular work.
On display in room 0.4
The Saint Elizabeth’s Day Flood
Master of the St Elizabeth Panels
When I was ten (and this painting hung in the History Rooms) I could read and understand this one better than anything Rembrandt painted.
On display in room 0.4
The Siege of Rhenen
Master of Rhenen
Lots of things going on here, but first and foremost the horrors of war: plundering, arsony, looting, killing. Goya in 1499.
On display in room 0.4
The Tower of Babel
anonymous
My friend Claudine collects reproductions of the tower of Babel. This is one of the oldest. And that building is so low... just two floors!
Isabella van Bourbon & Pleurants
Borman workshop
On display in room 0.4
Isabella van Bourbon & Pleurants
Borman workshop
On display in room 0.4
Isabella van Bourbon & Pleurants
Borman workshop
On display in room 0.4
Isabella van Bourbon & Pleurants
Borman workshop
On display in room 0.4
Isabella van Bourbon & Pleurants
Borman workshop
On display in room 0.4
Isabella van Bourbon & Pleurants
Borman workshop
On display in room 0.4
Isabella van Bourbon & Pleurants
Borman workshop
On display in room 0.4
Isabella van Bourbon & Pleurants
Borman workshop
On display in room 0.4
Isabella van Bourbon & Pleurants
Borman workshop
On display in room 0.4
Isabella van Bourbon & Pleurants
Borman workshop
On display in room 0.4
Portraits of a Couple, possibly…
Maarten van Heemskerck
‘Judging from the word ‘betaelt’ in his account book, he is paying his debts’. Max Weber should have used it: the ‘spirit of Capitalism‘.
A Couple
Maarten van Heemskerck
Anna Codde graced the front cover of the French guide to the museum (by E.R. Meijer) in 1974. I love her! But Pieter Bicker watches me.
Haarlem Citizen
Jan van Scorel
Portraits of Sir Thomas Gresham and…
Anthonis Mor
On display in room 0.6
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