Last Monday, 25 March 2013 two masterpieces by Maarten van Heemskerck returned to the Stedelijk Museum in Alkmaar. The two portraits, depicting Willem van Oudshoorn van Sonnevelt and Wilhelmina Paling, have been fully restored in the past two years. They will feature prominently in the permanent display.

Two years ago the portraits were in immediate need of restoration. Especially the male portrait was in bad shape, it risked loss of paint. The critical situation was the incentive to start the restoration. The portraits have a regional historical value and are of great art-historical importance. They are the only surviving monumental portrait pendants from the artist’s mature period.

The portraits were restored with support from the Paling and van Foreest almshouse and the Victor Foundation in Heiloo.