05 Works, Today, May 15th is St Dymphna's day, Artists tell her Story - #135

St Dymphna

According to Christian tradition, Dymphna was born in Ireland in the 7th century. Dymphna's father Damon was a petty king of Oriel. Her mother was a devout Christian.

Goswijn van der Weyden

Baptism of St. Dymphna

Goswin van der Weyden or Goossen van der Weyden (1455–1543), was a Flemish Renaissance painter active in Antwerp. He was one of the artists from Brussels who assisted in the transmission to Antwerp of the traditions of the Brussels school founded by Rogier van der Weyden. He thus played an important role in the founding of the Antwerp school.

He probably trained in the workshop of his father Pieter who was a son of Rogier van Weyden. He later left Brussels and lived in Lier from 1492. Here he led a successful workshop. 

He finally moved to Antwerp in 1500. He likely enrolled in the Antwerp's Guild of Saint Luke in the guild year 1500-1501. He took on a number of apprentices beginning in the year 1503-1504 and the last one in 1522-1523. His son, Rogier was also one of his pupils.


Goswin operated a large workshops in Antwerp. He lived for a long time in the Huidevettersstraat in Antwerp a property of the Abbey of Tongerlo. He painted various works for this monastery, some of which have been preserved. He was still alive in 1538. More on Goswijn van der Weyden

When Dymphna was 14 years old, she consecrated herself to Christ and took a vow of chastity. Shortly thereafter, her mother died. Damon had loved his wife deeply, and in the aftermath of her death his mental health sharply deteriorated. Eventually the king's counsellors pressed him to remarry. Damon agreed, but only on the condition that his bride would be as beautiful as his deceased wife. After searching fruitlessly, Damon began to desire his daughter because of her strong resemblance to her mother.

Goswijn van der Weyden

St. Dymphna’s father, the king, telling his daughter of his intention to wed her

When Dymphna learned of her father's intentions, she swore to uphold her vows and fled his court. She sailed towards the continent, eventually landing in what is present-day Belgium, where they took refuge in the town of Geel.

One tradition states that once settled in Geel, Dymphna built a hospice for the poor and sick of the region. However, it was through the use of her wealth that her father would eventually ascertain her whereabouts. Damon sent his agents to pursue his daughter. When their hiding place was discovered, 

Godfried Maes, (1649–1700)

The beheading of Saint Dymphna, c. 1688

Oil on canvas

Height: 337 cm (11 ft); Width: 225.5 cm (88.7 in)

Saint Dymphna Church, Geel

Godfried Maes (baptised on 15 August 1649 Antwerp - 30 May 1700, Antwerp) was a Flemish painter, draughtsman and designer of tapestries. He was active as a painter of altarpieces and allegorical scenes. He was a prolific draughtsman who made designs for tapestry workshops, publishers and house decorations.

Godfried Maes was born in Antwerp where he trained with his father and the history painter Pieter van Lint. He became a master in the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke in 1672 and married Josina Baeckelandt in 1675.[1][2] The couple did not have any children. He became dean of the Guild in 1682.[3]

Maes was active in Antwerp in the period 1664-1700. His work was very well received throughout the Southern Netherlands. He completed commissions for churches and private clients in Antwerp, Brussels and Liège.  More on Godfried Maes

Damon travelled to Geel to recover his daughter. Damon tried to force Dymphna to return with him to Ireland, but she resisted. Furious, Damon drew his sword and struck off his daughter's head. 

Attributed to Jacques de l'Ange, (f 1630 – 1650)

Martyrdom of St. Dymphna, between 1630 and 1601

Oil on canvas

Height: 170 cm (66.9 in); Width: 206 cm (81.1 in)

Schleißheim State Gallery,  Munich, Bavaria, Germany

Jacques de l'Ange or the Monogrammist JAD ([c. 1621 – 1650) was a Flemish painter and draughtsman known for his genre scenes and history paintings executed in a Caravaggesque style. The artist was only rediscovered in the mid-1990s as his work was previously attributed to other Northern Caravaggists and in particular those of the Utrecht School.

A Jacques de 'Ánge trained under Jan Cossiers and was registered as Cossiers' pupil in the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke in the Guild year 1632-1633. Assuming he is the same Jacques de l'Ange he was likely born around 1621. He did not register as a master of the Guild later, which indicates that he likely continued to work in his master's workshop following the completion of his apprenticeship. Around 1640 he was able to produce some works in his own name.

He left Antwerp for Italy around 1642. Here he seems to have been influenced by the work of Matthias Stom, who had previously worked in Naples, and temporary Italian artists. More on Jacques de l'Ange

She was said to have been 15 years old when she died. After Dymphna was martyred, the residents of Geel buried them in a nearby cave. Years later, they decided to move the remains to a more suitable location. Some of her remains are at the shrine to Dymphna in Massillon, Ohio, United States. More on Dymphna

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