Geertgen tot Sint Jans

Geertgen tot Sint Jans, also known as Geertgen van Haarlem, was an Early Netherlandish painter whose life spanned from approximately fourteen sixty-five to around fourteen ninety-five. His artistic journey began in the northern Low Countries, within the Holy Roman Empire, where he became a notable figure in the realm of oil painting.

Despite the absence of contemporary documentation regarding his life, the earliest account of his work emerged in sixteen oh four, penned by Karel van Mander in his renowned Schilder-boeck. Van Mander suggests that Geertgen was likely a pupil of Albert van Ouwater, one of the pioneering oil painters in the region, which hints at the artistic lineage that influenced his style.

Residing in Haarlem, Geertgen was affiliated with the house of the Knights of Saint John. It is believed that he served as a lay brother, during which time he created an altarpiece for the order. Interestingly, van Mander notes that Geertgen adopted the name of St. John without formally joining the order, leading to his surname 'tot Sint Jans,' which translates to 'unto Saint John.'