Egbert Modderman (1989) was born in Groningen and grew up in a Reformed-Liberated family. From 2007 to 2012 he studied Spatial Design at the Minerva Academy.

From 2013 he took painting lessons at the Classical Academy of Painting in Groningen and in 2015 at the Florence Academy of Art.

For a short time he made portraits and still lifes for private individuals as a painter, but this gave little satisfaction. That is why he decided to focus on universal themes of meaning on large canvases that people would not pass by in a museum.

Despite his limited experience, he became the permanent painter of the Martini Church in Groningen from 2015. When he wanted to rent the church for an occasion, he in return painted a contemporary portrait of Saint Martin, Saint Martin of Tours (316-397), after whom the church is named.

In the portrait, Martin gives a beggar half of his cloak. The Martinikerk Groningen Foundation and the public were so enthusiastic that an exhibition of ten major works followed in 2016.