AERTSEN, Pieter
(b. 1508, Amsterdam, d. 1575, Amsterdam)

Christ in the House of Martha and Mary

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Oil on panel, 126 x 200 cm
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

A kitchen scene combined with a religious subject is set within Renaissance architecture. The background depicts the story of Christ in the house of Martha and Mary. This painting marks the transition from the late mediaeval practice of depicting religious subjects to a new era, in which art depicts the everyday life of the self confident bourgeoisie.