By Dean Gregory, to Museum Spotlight Europe (September, 2019)
Marking the 350 year anniversary of the passing of Rembrandt, the Netherlands has organized a medley of exhibitions throughout the museums of the country to celebrate the Dutch master. In Amsterdam, Leiden, and The Hague, visitors have access to Rembrandt’s wondrous works in a bevy of elegant settings. If you are a long-time enthusiast of Rembrandt or are just discovering his works, this opportunity to explore his works in Holland is a rare delight. Discover the richness of Rembrandt’s art and where you can see the splendor of his works during this seminal anniversary.
Rembrandt van Rijn: Discovering the Dutch Master
Exemplifying the 17th century “Golden Age” of the Dutch Empire, Rembrandt van Rijn emerged as the greatest Old Master of the time period. Originating from Leiden, Holland, in 1606, Rembrandt excelled as a painter, etcher and draftsman. Influenced by Rubens and van Dyck, Rembrandt was a relentless observer of people and life, as well as objects and their surroundings, which nurtured his adept use of light, space and textures in his work. In his first self-portrait, completed at age 20, he developed a signature style featuring unique contrasts of light and dark. In the 1630s, Rembrandt experienced particular success, as he managed a workshop of assistants and students while cultivating his own personal art collection. Hendrick Uylenburgh, a leading art dealer of the day, commissioned Rembrandt for a medley of works. The completion of the masterpieces The Jewish Bride and The Syndics of the Drapers’ Guild were of particular note, as the artist settled into his 60s. Not exclusively a painter, Rembrandt was prolific as a master printmaker and draftsman with 350 etchings attributed to his name. Transcending his own time, numerous masters of subsequent years and in contemporary times pay homage to the legacy of Rembrandt. The Spanish painter Francisco Goya said of the Dutch master: “I have had three masters: Nature, Velázquez, and Rembrandt.” Vincent van Gogh characterized his fellow countryman as, “Rembrandt goes so deep into the mysterious that he says things for which there are no words in any language. It is with justice that they call Rembrandt—magician—that’s no easy occupation.” Contemporary portraitists such as Francis Bacon and George Condo as well cite the influence of the Dutch painter on their work.
Where to Celebrate Rembrandt in the Netherlands
Amsterdam
Within the Dutch capital city, a medley of exhibitions occur to celebrate the master painter. At Joods Historisch Museum, visitors partake of a special exhibition of Rembrandt’s St. Peter in Prison or St. Peter Kneeling. On loan from the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, the painting was completed in 1631 in Leiden. Complementing the painting, guests enjoy an original oil sketch rendering the dreams of Joseph created in 1633. The exhibition takes place from September 13 through November 10, 2019. Located in central Amsterdam, Joods Historisch Museum serves as a hallmark in the old Jewish quarter of the city.
At the nearby Rembrandt House Museum, a special exhibition entitled Rembrandt Laboratory: Rembrandt’s Technique Unravelled explores the process the master utilized in cultivating his profound paintings, etchings and drawings. The interactive approach by the institutions bridges art and science with the use of the latest innovations in x-ray technology. The exhibition takes place from September 21, 2019 until February 16, 2020. Across town at the esteemed Rijksmuseum, a special partnership between the Dutch institution and the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid, Spain presents a unique exhibition featuring Rembrandt and Velázquez, entitled Rembrandt-Velázquez: Dutch and Spanish Masters. In addition to the two Old Masters, works from Hals, Murillo, Vermeer and Zurbarán are on display. The exhibition begins on October 11, 2019 and lasts until January 19, 2020. All three of the museums in Amsterdam are located within the city center and are easily accessible from a medley of establishing hotels via taxi, public transportation or through pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths.
The Hague
Approximately one hour southwest of Amsterdam in The Hague, a medley of exhibitions commemorating Rembrandt are taking place at the Mauritshuis museum. The exhibition Rembrandt and the Mauritshuis features all 18 paintings housed by the institution until September 15, 2019. Notable works include The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp and a late self-portrait. Also, until September 15, 2019, visitors with children aged 3 to 11 to the Hello Rembrandt! exhibition have a special opportunity to learn about the Dutch master through a range of interactive applications such as games, videos and assignments. Finally, the exhibition entitled Nicolaes Maes – Rembrandt’s Versatile Pupil, which takes place until January 19, 2020, features works attributed to one of the painter’s most accomplished students Nicolaes Maes. The domestic scenes created by Maes serve as inspiration to other Dutch masters such as Vermeer. The museum is reached facilely through public transportation or by foot in the heart of the The Hague.
Leiden
Less than 30 minutes away from The Hague in the north lies Leiden where the Museum de Lakenhal features an exhibition dedicated to the master entitled Young Rembrandt – Rising Star. Occurring from November 2, 2019 to February 9, 2020, the exhibition places on display 40 paintings, 70 etchings and 10 drawings. Highlights include a Self-Portrait completed in 1628 on loan from the Rijksmuseum and from the Metropolitan Museum in New York the Man in Oriental Costume (‘The Noble Slav’) finished in 1632. Centrally located in Leiden, the museum is easily accessed through bicycle and pedestrian walkways as well as public transportation and taxi from a medley of hotels and accommodation.
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