Michael Sittow: A Master of the Northern Renaissance Michael Sittow (c. 1469 – 1525), often referred to as Master Michiel, Michel, or simply Sittow, stands as a pivotal figure in the development of Early Netherlandish painting. Born in Reval (present-day Tallinn, Estonia) to a family deeply rooted in both German and Swedish heritage, his early life was shaped by the vibrant, international atmosphere of this Hanseatic trading city. His artistic journey began within his father’s workshop, learning the fundamentals of wood carving and painting alongside his brothers, before he embarked on a f…