Dutch draughtsman, painter, and printmaker
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn
was born,
July 15, 1606
in Leiden, in the Dutch Republic [now the Netherlands].
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An innovative and prolific master in drawings, prints [etchings] and paintings, he is considered one of the greatest visual artists in the history of art and the most important in Dutch art history.
With a wide range of subjects, from portraits and self-portraits to landscapes, genre scenes, allegorical and historical scenes, and biblical and mythological themes as well as animal studies.
Rembrandt never went abroad, but he was considerably influenced by the work of the Italian masters and Netherlandish artists who had studied in Italy, like Pieter Lastman, the Utrecht Caravaggists, Flemish Baroque, and Peter Paul Rubens.
Because of his empathy for the human condition, he has been called “one of the great prophets of civilization”. The French sculptor Auguste Rodin said:
“Compare me with Rembrandt! What sacrilege! With Rembrandt, the colossus of Art! We should prostrate ourselves before Rembrandt and never compare anyone with him!”
Needless to say that every painting ought to be seen in real life. Prints and even worse digital reproductions, don’t do justice to art. Especially art by great masters such as Rembrandt. My recollection of my first encounter with The Night Watch [see below] in Rijksmuseum was one I will never forget. Dumbfound, bewildered, overwhelmed and other such words, fail to convey my feelings!
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So here’s a glimpse of this master’s work & [few] words
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“Painting is the grandchild of Nature. It is related to God.”
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“Try to put well in practice what you already know; and in so doing, you will in good time, discover the hidden things you now inquire about. Practice what you know, and it will help to make clear what now you do not know.”
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“Life etches itself onto our faces as we grow older, showing our violence, excesses or kindnesses.”
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“Choose only one master – Nature.”
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“Without atmosphere a painting is nothing.”
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“Without atmosphere a painting is nothing.”
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“An honest man always values earning honor over wealth.”
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“I can’t paint the way they want me to paint and they know that too. Of course you will say that I ought to be practical and ought to try and paint the way they want me to paint. Well, I will tell you a secret. I have tried and I have tried very hard, but I can’t do it. I just can’t do it! And that is why I am just a little crazy.”
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“A painting is finished when the artist says it is finished.”
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“I am most astonished by what has been written about the [painting] ‘Alexander’, which is so well done that I must suppose there are not many lovers of art [amatori] at Messina. I am also surprised that Your Lordship [Don Antonio Ruffo] should complain as much about the price as about the canvas, but if Your Lordship wishes to return it as he did the sketch [schizzo] of Homer, I will do another Alexander.. .If Your Lordship likes the Alexander as is, very well. If he does not want to keep it, six hundred florins remain outstanding. And for the Homer [painting] five hundred florins plus the expenses of canvas, it being understood that everything is at Your Lordship’s expense. Having agreed to it, would he kindly send me his desired measurements. Awaiting the response to settle the matter.”
[Rembrandt’s letter, Nov/Dec. 1662, to buyer Don Antonio Ruffo from Messina, Sicily]
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“A painting is not made to be sniffed.“
[but viewed from a distance – see also Rembrandt’s quote in his letter to Constantijn Huygens, Amsterdam, 27 Jan. 1639]
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“A painting is complete when it has the shadows of a god.”
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Self Portraits
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Landscapes
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Drawings
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Accompanied by 2 works written for Rembrandt
Cornelis Dopper (1870-1939)
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Symphony No. 3 – Rembrandt
The Rembrandt Symphony was written in 1906 as part of a general Dutch celebration of the birth of Rembrandt.
Orchestra: Residentie Orkest • Conductor: Matthias Bamert
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Hugues Dufourt
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Le déluge (D’après Poussin)
Based on Rembrandt’s painting The Philosopher in Meditation
Ensemble Modern • Conductor: Dominique My
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For more information on Rembrandt:
https://www.rembrandtonline.org/
https://www.stedelijk.nl/en/collectie/maker/35809-rembrandt
https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/jaar-van-rembrandt
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rembrandt
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/rmbt/hd_rmbt.htm
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/artists/rembrandt
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Rembrandt
https://www.nga.gov/collection/artist-info.1822.html
http://www.rembrandtpainting.net/
Marina Kanavaki 
He is a brilliant artist!
I can’t say was, because he lives on through his paintings.
I’m floored whenever I see his work.
OR, as the hip hop guys around here say.. he did some sick dope shit!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Yes… you [and the guys] are RIGHT!!!!!!
he’s one of those painters you look at their paintings with a dropped jaw, motionless! 😂🤣
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
I’m doing AGM Mermaids. Not Rembrandt, but I was thinking they should go into the darkest dark of the sea.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Oh… the sea!!!! I LOVE that!!!!!!!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
AGM Mermaids ahoy!!!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
YAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
xoxoxo🧜🏼♀️🧜🏼♀️xoxoxo🧜🏼♀️🧜🏼♀️xoxoxo🧜🏼♀️🧜🏼♀️
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
xoxoxoxo
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I’m particularly taken by his paintings depicting Biblical scenes. They strike me as more believable than many I’ve seen. (gut reaction)
Oh, I can relate to that gut reaction! This artist gets me …all themes! 😉
🙂
I was here, as my other self! LOLOL!
Amazing artist!
It’s as though he painted on black canvases.
Love the shot of one of his paintings being moved!
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Yes you were!!!!!!
It’s the “Night Watch” being moved. Puts things in perspective, doesn’t it?!!!
I’m blown away each and every time I see his work!
❤️🧡🎨🖼🖌🧡❤️
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
It’s a long time since I looked at these works, mostly in books, and it’s astonishing to think that they were painted such a long time ago! How people dressed at the time dates the paintings but one stands out as being almost modern, the painting of Jeremiah. For me, it feels like it could have been painted recently. What I find incredible about all his work is the texture: the texture of skin and fabric!
Amazing! Thank you.
Oh, I agree with you… but then this artist really transcends time. His work has me in awe each and every time. Astonishing indeed! Thank YOU so much for your visit and comment. 🙏😊
Ahh, an enjoyable 70 minutes of music!
However, Rembrandt’s art surpasses all symphonies.. fugues, sonatas… well I know not of what I speak, but his work is beyond any words I have.
Crazy to think this was all done 400 years ago.
He certainly did a lot of self portraits, from all ages of his life. This seems to me to be the epitome of the origin of selfies. Wonder what he would think of phone cameras?
I’d love to time travel.
Sending the most artistic love I can!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxo ❤ ❤
I completely understand how you mean it. Of course as a musician I couldn’t agree it but sometimes it could happen. I’ve always considered music a ‘greater’ (not the right word) art form. However Rembrandt really really is a great master and yeah… 400 years ago, imagine that!!!!!!
I’d also live to time travel and meet those masters….
More love sent to you with huge huge hugs
…and more love!!!!!!!
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I just love all this love and art we toss around!
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💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖Me too!!!!!!!!!!!!
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What an amazingly talented artist he was; a true master. I especially love his portraits.Thanks for putting this post together, Marina. I sense your passion for his work. xxx
He was indeed! Rightfully considered master of the masters! Thank you, my dear Sylvia! xoxoxo
I cannot believe the beauty and detail that he was able to acquire with a paint brush!
Wow, Marina, this is such a complete show. I was in Amsterdam last year. The Reichmuseum had a number of his works in restoration. But his house, which was beautifully preserved and restored into a fascinating museum, was open. What a guy!
Oh, so happy you enjoyed it, my friend! And to think of the time he did these…. Beyond admirable.
For sure. In the top three painters with Michaelangelo and maybe someone else, no?
Yes…Goya and a few others too 😉
And yet for all Rembrandt’s greatness as a painter, he died poor.
Unbelievable huh?!…
I know what you mean about seeing art in person. My first trip to the National Gallery blew me away
When I was very young, I thought that since I’ve seen those paintings in print, how much more would I get in life… such a silly thought!!!!!!
We sure do learn these lessons along the way. When we can experience them
Indeed we do! 😉
REMBRANDT — The MASTER of the Master Artists! I was in awe the time when I experienced his paintings in person, long ago.
Stays with you, doesn’t it?!
Yes! His work leaves a lasting impression.
The girl in the picture frame is quite ‘post modern’
I thought so too! Post-modern in 1641!!!!!!!
🙂
Now here’s one guy I will not joke around with when talking about his work. The depth of light and shadow… the subtlety… it’s almost like a benchmark to which we can compare the good to the great. One of my favs and most respected! 🙂
1606…. one seriously wonders how much we’ve progressed since then! 😉
If it was a benchmark, I doubt anyone would surpass it! 😉 Glad you enjoyed! 🙂
He is my mentor.
The lights. Such brush work. The base layers of white lead under paint. The thin transparent glazes.
It takes years for a painting like this to mature – not sure if it every really dries to completion – and the changes as it lives.
So remarkable. Thanks for putting this all together.
Which explains why they’ve been restoring for so long. In fact I believe that for the past year they’ve just been recording and analyzing… restoration hasn’t started yet!].
So glad you enjoyed this. I think he’s a mentor to all artists and how could he not be ;-)!
Oh WOW!!… just an amazing collection, and loved the video showing the construction in time lapse..
Such magnificent pieces of art..
And so loved this particular quote Marina..
“Try to put well in practice what you already know; and in so doing, you will in good time, discover the hidden things you now inquire about. Practice what you know, and it will help to make clear what now you do not know.”
Thought that profound..
Sending Love and well wishes dearest Marina… ❤ 💖🙏💖
It is very true too, isn’t it? We tend to look for new things/ways thinking we’ll find answers when what he says is really the best practice! Well spotted, Sue! He was a huge huge artist / mind [it’s usually the way with great great artists]. I’m glad you enjoyed this post. Yes, the time lapse… when I first saw the Nightwatch I lost my breath for a few seconds!
Much much love to you and the best wishes for a beautiful Wednesday evening and rest of this week! 😍❤️🤗❤️😍
Thank you Marina… The sun came out for a few hours today… Have a great evening and weekend to come.. 🙂
You too, my dearest friend! Many many hugs your way! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
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One thing that impresses me about Rembrandt is how he used black to deliver rich color.
Amazing isn’t it?!!!! Yamas!
Love this, love Rembrandt – I have reblogged it.
Ah, thank you very much!!!!!!! [a bit of an understatement, but I love him too! 😉 ]