Marinus van Reimerswaele, an outstanding Flemish Renaissance artist, was born around 1490 in Reimerswaale and died after 1567 in Goes. Despite his Dutch origins, he lived and worked most of his life in Antwerp, one of the key artistic centers of the time.
Marinus grew up in an artistic environment: his father was a member of the Antwerp Artists′ Guild. In 1504, Marinus entered the University of Leiden, indicating his desire for education and self-improvement. In 1509 he registered with the Antwerp Guild of St. Luke, which allowed him to establish himself in the city′s artistic community. Here he began his career making copies of popular works of art, a common practice among artists of the time.
Marinus van Reimerswaele is considered to be a student or at least a follower of Quentin Massys, one of the leading Flemish artists of the era. Under the influence of Masseys, Marinus developed his own unique style, which was distinguished by a keen vision of human characters and a penchant for the grotesque and satire. These features are especially evident in his famous portraits of bankers, moneylenders and tax collectors.
One of Marinus′s most famous works is The Tax Collector. This painting was so popular that it was copied many times by the artist himself, his workshop and his followers. The reasons for such popularity of the image of tax inspectors may be various, but, of course, one of them is the masterful depiction of human greed and stinginess, turning people into moral monsters.
Marinus van Reimerswaele left a significant legacy in the genres of religious and secular portraiture. In secular portraits, he often resorted to elements of the everyday genre, creating works rich in social and moral commentary. The themes of his work are often borrowed from masters such as Quentin Masseys and Albrecht Durer, but Marinus interpreted them in his own way, enhancing the grotesque and satirical aspects.
From 1533 to 1540, Marinus worked in Reimerswaal, after which his life took a dramatic turn. After leaving his hometown, he moved to Middelburg, where he was involved in a church robbery. For this crime he was punished and expelled from the city. After this, Marinus settled in Hus, where he spent the last years of his life.
Marinus van Reimerswaele occupies a place of honor among the greatest artists of 16th century Antwerp. His works, filled with a deep understanding of human nature and a sharp satirical mind, still arouse interest and admiration. His name is known from a small number of signed paintings, but other works have been attributed to him based on stylistic similarities.