Today in History, July 15, 1606-- Birth of Rembrandt van Rijn
Today in History, July 15, 1606, Birthday of Rembrandt van Rijn
^Considered one of the greatest painters and printmakers in European art and the most important in Dutch history.
His contributions to art came in a period of great wealth and cultural achievement that historians call the Dutch Golden Age when Dutch Golden Age painting, although in many ways antithetical to the Baroque style that dominated Europe, was extremely prolific and innovative, and gave rise to important new genres in painting.
Born: July 15, 1606
Birthplace: Leiden, Netherlands
Star Sign: Cancer
Died: October 4, 1669 (aged 63)
^source, "On This Day" Historical Events
*Below are excerpts from previous comments I've made on Rembrandt's work.
Rembrandt' self portraits were a spiritual exercise in self consciousness, in which he approached his own likeness as a confessional. In his oils, and etchings, he depicted his own face while younger as shrouded in darkness, as an admission that he was still not matured, or developed emotionally. The older he grew, and the more difficulty he endured in life, losing his wife, children, second wife, etc, he portrayed himself having more light in his face, reflecting the wisdom that one attains both by developing their Art, but also the redemptive power of enduring and surviving great suffering. Yes, his hair was all over the place. But, his metaphorical use of light, and the depth he created through a third dimension with thickness in his paint, instead of gloss, were a Revolution. And everything he did flowed from his ability to be philosophical.
Above is one of my favorite etchings. "Christ Preaching". Little Rembrandt is turned completely away from Jesus, face in darkness, unable to comprehend what is happening, but using his God given gift, doodling. While next to him, his Mother, dressed in 16th Century Dutch clothes, is totally listening for both of them, rapt with attention, with the sight line of Jesus focused almost exclusively on her. It's a very powerful tribute to his Mother's guidance, and a polemic Rembrandt is making about the "Divine Spark" of creative potential that exists in every Child, which if it is developed, enables everyone to fulfill their higher purpose in this world. Would that we had more Religious people in the United States today who thought this way.
Rembrandt also painted and drew the face of Jesus as a project over the years. He represents him as a swarthy, Middle Eastern Semite, dark complected, and with the visage of the Jewish Rabbi that he was. Rembrandt spent time living among the Jews of Amsterdam, learning their Culture, traditions and even Hebrew, which is why he was able to paint Hebrew writing in some of his works. He wanted to know God better, by learning about the people from whence he came. He also was combatting Anti-Semitism by representing Jesus this way, in an Era of persecution, forced confinement in Ghettoes, and the Spanish Inquisition eviction and murder of Spain's Jews.
Rembrandt was very political, and several of his paintings, such as "The Night Watch", "Belshazzar's Feast", and others of his Biblical images were powerful polemics and interventions in a time of the "Revolt of the Netherlands" against the Imperial power of Hapsburg Spain, as well as the climate of religious conflicts and intolerance. At some point I'll enjoy sharing what we have put together on this as well.
^Considered one of the greatest painters and printmakers in European art and the most important in Dutch history.
His contributions to art came in a period of great wealth and cultural achievement that historians call the Dutch Golden Age when Dutch Golden Age painting, although in many ways antithetical to the Baroque style that dominated Europe, was extremely prolific and innovative, and gave rise to important new genres in painting.
Born: July 15, 1606
Birthplace: Leiden, Netherlands
Star Sign: Cancer
Died: October 4, 1669 (aged 63)
^source, "On This Day" Historical Events
*Below are excerpts from previous comments I've made on Rembrandt's work.
Rembrandt' self portraits were a spiritual exercise in self consciousness, in which he approached his own likeness as a confessional. In his oils, and etchings, he depicted his own face while younger as shrouded in darkness, as an admission that he was still not matured, or developed emotionally. The older he grew, and the more difficulty he endured in life, losing his wife, children, second wife, etc, he portrayed himself having more light in his face, reflecting the wisdom that one attains both by developing their Art, but also the redemptive power of enduring and surviving great suffering. Yes, his hair was all over the place. But, his metaphorical use of light, and the depth he created through a third dimension with thickness in his paint, instead of gloss, were a Revolution. And everything he did flowed from his ability to be philosophical.
Above is one of my favorite etchings. "Christ Preaching". Little Rembrandt is turned completely away from Jesus, face in darkness, unable to comprehend what is happening, but using his God given gift, doodling. While next to him, his Mother, dressed in 16th Century Dutch clothes, is totally listening for both of them, rapt with attention, with the sight line of Jesus focused almost exclusively on her. It's a very powerful tribute to his Mother's guidance, and a polemic Rembrandt is making about the "Divine Spark" of creative potential that exists in every Child, which if it is developed, enables everyone to fulfill their higher purpose in this world. Would that we had more Religious people in the United States today who thought this way.
Rembrandt also painted and drew the face of Jesus as a project over the years. He represents him as a swarthy, Middle Eastern Semite, dark complected, and with the visage of the Jewish Rabbi that he was. Rembrandt spent time living among the Jews of Amsterdam, learning their Culture, traditions and even Hebrew, which is why he was able to paint Hebrew writing in some of his works. He wanted to know God better, by learning about the people from whence he came. He also was combatting Anti-Semitism by representing Jesus this way, in an Era of persecution, forced confinement in Ghettoes, and the Spanish Inquisition eviction and murder of Spain's Jews.
Rembrandt was very political, and several of his paintings, such as "The Night Watch", "Belshazzar's Feast", and others of his Biblical images were powerful polemics and interventions in a time of the "Revolt of the Netherlands" against the Imperial power of Hapsburg Spain, as well as the climate of religious conflicts and intolerance. At some point I'll enjoy sharing what we have put together on this as well.
