The Holy Kinship detail/larger detail
Geertgen tot Sint Jan
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Geertgen is presumed to have been born in Leiden and he died in Haarlem. His teacher was probably Albert van Ouwater. Geertgen owes his name to the fact that between 1480 and 1495 he was attached to the monastery of St John's Brethren in Haarlem. He did not belong to the order but worked for the monks, painting a large altarpiece for their church. According to the biographer Karel van Mander Geertgen died at the age of 28 and was buried at St John's monastery. There are twelve works which are known to be from his hand. The high quality of these works has led him to be considered the founder of Northern Netherlandish art.