Rembrandts Work in the Light of Contemporary Artists - Case Study Example

Ques) Compare and contrast Gary Schwartz's The Rembrandt Book (2006) and Rembrandt: His Life, His Paintings (1991). Be sure to include specifics as to new ideas presented either evolved or presented with new historical or collective analytical research to paintings or the artist's life. Overall, an in-depth compare contrast between the two books. Ans) Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn is regarded as one of the most prolific and intense artists of his era. Born on July 15th, 1606 he is renowned as one of the most revered painters and printmakers in European art history and perhaps the most important in Dutch history of all. He mastered in self portraits, illustrations of the scenes from the Bible and portraits of contemporaries. What's even more interesting and enigmatic about Rembrandt is the way in which his portraits reflect his life-it almost seems autobiographical. Many contemporary writers have written on Rembrandt; however Gary Schwartz's work stands out. The Rembrandt Book, which was published in honor of the 400th anniversary of Rembrandt's birth, the book gives the reader an opportunity to comprehend his life as it was. One familiarizes themselves through the book with Rembrandt's family, friends, patrons, and European civilization and present day culture. Each chapter of the book allows one to have a sneak peak into Rembrandt's creative thought process. Gary Schwartz has used contemporary sources to assimilate information in the book on Rembrandt. Rembrandt received a thorough grounding in classical and biblical studies. In 1629, Rembrandt painted a self portrait which is regarded as first of the many that would follow. Rembrandt's life wasn't devoid of difficulties and problems. Infact, he led a plain tans life for the longest time. In spite of getting married by 1634, he had an illegitimate daughter, Cornelia. Eventually when Rembrandt is reported to be in deep financial trouble and declared he as an insolvent in 1656, the authorities in Amsterdam compiled a minutely detailed inventory of his possessions. Many documents were compiled out of which, one document is said to state the providence of a list with two plaster casts of children, one plaster head, five works by other artists, four of his own paintings and one shoe. Rembrandt led an extremely colorful life rich with drama, suspense and thrilling in its own right. Rembrandt: His life, His paintings, perhaps tries to more significantly work at understanding how Rembrandt's nasty disposition, tactlessness, nasty disposition and underhanded dealings built up to sabotage his illustrious career as an artists. Both of Gary Schwartz's books attempt not at maligning the man but presenting his life and facts as they were. While one is about Rembrandt's life in general, the other attempts to comprehend the course of his life and analyze as well as read into his psyche. In the book on his life we come to terms with an embittered genius, who is unwilling or perhaps unable to actually win the protection of his clan leaders that was instrumental to advancement of his career. Schwartz, painstakingly pieces together all of Rembrandt's connections, with dealers, customers and friends to conclude that for most part of his life Rembrandt was dependent on a fairly fixed set of people. Rembrandt's artistic scope seems to have also been limited due to the commissioned work he was given by his patrons. The book can be seen as part biography and part catalogue, since it claims to be the first of its kind to present color reproductions of all Rembrandt's paintings, except of course for those that were taken by private collectors. The Rembrandt book on the other hand is visually enhanced by 700 full color illustrations. It also tries to take the controversies out in the open with regard to Rembrandt's work on his paintings, questioning whether some of his paintings can actually be called his. One comes to realize that several of Rembrandt's earlier works are because of Latsman's influence. One instance of this amongst others is 'Stoning of Stephen' which is dated 1624. Although Latsman was a part of the painter's prolific journey another person whose work greatly influences Rembrandt was Jan Lievens. What comes across as remarkable is that they perhaps derived ideas from each other. Rembrandt's work was greatly influenced by his state of mind. Around 1630 when his work was gaining some form of success, his paintings are not etched in depiction of human misery and sadness as much as they are after 1630's. Rembrandt's most important painting seems to be 'Night Watch' of 1642. He attempted to create movement in the picture which was actually reminiscent of that epoch when the Renaissance was also under purview and rapid progress. The last twenty years of his life and his work, seem to be influenced by his very own personal journey he was now set forth on. His paintings grew to be inspired b y more of his indrawn personal and emotional beliefs. His painting, a portrait of that time called 'Man in a Golden Helmet' is both a representation of the fragile state of human beings. Where the protagonist is shown wearing an illustrious gold crown on an ageing man. One is drawn into conflict at this time because of the contradictory dates of the paintings. Even though Rembrandt led a life of conflict and struggles, where he saw hardships and revered times it in no way affected his genius and his creative manifestations at play. He was hungry for exploring other forms of visual experience. He loved glitter; his work is also influenced by his love for the shine and luster. Rembrandt from the very start of his career gave variety to his patrons which also in turn influenced his work. It was fairly clear among his patrons that he was a talented artist who was ahead of his time and his contemporaries. He is claimed to have painted the spirit of the man and do justice to it, representative of the times and changing tides of the century. Another interesting painting from Rembrandt's broad collection of work is 'Jacob's Blessing' where the artist's technique of applying the paint on broad, thick strokes, then building it up with glazes gives the scene added depth and gravity. Each figure also seems to be rich with deep sentiments and emotions. The rich velvety drape at the background, break the severity of the painting adding texture, variety and more visual appeal to the painting. Rembrandt was less superficially dramatic than his contemporaries. It leaves us with no surprise or added awe when you see Rembrandt's work in the light of contemporary artists today. It also goes without question that Gary Schwartz's invested time and energy into the great painter seem to be an apt tribute to a painter who with his work raised the bar and added more metal to the renaissance period. His work, needless to say stays alive with contemporaries and artists regarding Rembrandt as one of the greatest artists who did justice to European culture, history and time of the 1600's. Bibliography: 1) The Rembrandt book: By Gary Schwartz (2006) 2) Rembrandt: His Life, His Paintings (1991), by Gary Schwartz 3) The Art Book, a compilation by Phaidon 4) Rembrandt the painter at work, by Ernst Van De Wetering, 2000 5) The complete etchings of Rembrandt: reproduced in original size, by Gary Schwartz, 1994 Read More