Cornelis Engelbrechtsz

Cornelis Engebrechtsz was the first important painter from Leiden. His religious scenes are crowded with slender, emotional figures in elaborate costume, a lively late Gothic style that looks toward early Mannerism.

He was born in Leiden around 1462 and spent his career there, running a workshop that trained his sons and, according to tradition, the young Lucas van Leyden. He painted triptychs of the Lamentation and the Crucifixion for the convent of Mariënpoel, which are now in the Museum De Lakenhal in Leiden. He died in 1527. His work is also in the Rijksmuseum and the Metropolitan Museum.

Christ Taking Leave of His Mother shows his expressive faces and rich colour.