Because of my short stay in the Netherlands for some portrait commissions, I had the opportunity to visit the Late Rembrandt exhibition. I got the ticket as a gift. (thank you Julie)
What can I say about the exhibition? Staggering! Rembrandt is the greatest painter Holland ever had. In his heydays he was a most appreciated and well payed artist. Because of private problems, he became impoverished, was declared bankrupt and lost everything he owned. He could not even pay his rent anymore. In Amsterdam, he was reviled. The exhibition deals with these last difficult years.
Looking at one of his last commissions, Claudius Civillis I feel the anger towards the established order. Allthough the commission was acquired, it later was removed from its important place in the new town hall of Amsterdam. I see an artist experimenting his techniques and at the same time willfully seeking for problems with his clients.
If I should name three highlights: the portrait of Jan Six, a Woman Bathing in a Stream and finally An Old Woman Reading. This last painting really moved me deeply.
Rembrandt has always inspired me. My first paintings in THE 70ties were Rembrandt copies. Friday febr 20 we are going to see this staggering exhibition. I Will let you know my findings. Remy
Great you have been there. We visited the exhibtion last saterday evenening. It was about40 years ago for the great Rembrand exhibition. So we have to wait another 40 years. To all others try te visit and als Amsterdam.
Loek from Maarssen, Utrecht