Hamlet III by Maryleen Schiltkamp

Shakespeare - Renaissance

Maryleen Schiltkamp

Hamlet III

Oil On Canvas

115 x 145 cm

Signature: Signed in the lower right corner, the artist's initials "MCJMS"; above the initials is the year in Roman numerals: "MCMXCVII". NB: On the right of these is the small symbol of a diptych. This symbol, or sign, appears on several paintings from the Renaissance series. Originally it is a diptych by Quinten Matsys from 1517, with on the left panel the humanist scholar Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam and on the right Pieter Gilles, city clerk of Antwerp. It was a token of friendship between the gentlemen, and given as a present to their mutual friend Thomas More. As an art-historian and priest, Antoine Bodar did academic research on this diptych, which was published also in his book "Gezellin van de Stilte" of 1992, in the chapter of the scholar's portrait, "Het Geleerdenportret". By the sign of the diptych, Maryleen wished to make the connection with Antoine Bodar and great classical friendships throughout time.

The last scene of Shakespeare's theatre-play "Hamlet" is here depicted (in mirror symmetry) in the central perspective of a cathedral. The painting is part of the Renaissance series created by the artist between 1994 -'98 and inspired by her friendship with priest and art-historian Antoine Bodar.