New insights into the use of Naples yellow and green earth by Melchior de la Mars

In 2023, the Museum of Fine Arts Ghent acquired a previously unknown painting by the Flemish Caravaggist Melchior de la Mars (before 1590–1650). The painting represents the release of Saint Sebastian by Irene in a Caravaggesque manner. The discovery presented an occasion to conduct a multi-analytical investigation alongside art-historical research and to gain a comprehensive understanding of the painter’s palette and technique. This paper reports the findings on pigment use in relation to what is known about the influence of Caravaggio on the artist. The aim is to address the art-historical question whether De la Mars traveled to Italy to study the art of Caravaggio. The technical investigation of the painting demonstrated the use of Naples yellow and green earth. Both pigments are uncommon for the early seventeenth-century Flemish palette and could indicate a stay in Italy. Two hypotheses are proposed and discussed about a potential Italian sojourn.