Metsys

Various pieces, produced by other artists in Italy, illustrate the artist's many sources of inspiration, in particular a watercolour by and paintings by Quentin Metsys.

There are also some diverting minor works, such as Quentin Metsys' Contract of Marriage, a droll example of genre by a Flemish contemporary of Erasmus, showing a young man dutifully snuggling up to an ugly but rich old wife.

Erasmus appears dissatisfied with the reverse of the medal cast by Metsys in 1519.

Later Quentin Metsys was to paint him and Erasmus, joined in a diptych; a present for Thomas More and for us a vivid memorial of one of the best things Erasmus ever knew: this triple friendship.