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[Rembrandt, Portrait of Dr. Ephraïm Bueno, panel, 1645-1647. Rijksmuseum Amsterdam]
10 November 2006 until 4 February 2007 The 'Jewish' Rembrandt
In recent centuries a romantic myth has developed suggesting Rembrandt had a special bond with Jews. He was supposedly a good friend of the famous philosopher Spinoza and the outstanding rabbi Menasse ben Israel. Some people even discovered echoes of Jewish mysticism (kabbalah) in his paintings and references to Judaism. His Jewish neighbours in Amsterdam’s lively Jewish Quarter provided, it was said, the inspiration for many of his drawings and portraits. But is this really so? Formerly, many of his works were given Jewish titles, but today it’s far from clear if these were warranted. Only a few of Rembrandt’s works deal indisputably with a Jewish theme, or depict a Jew. Even his famous painting The Jewish Bride is now up for discussion – does it really represent a Jewish couple? More information
Read the opening speech by Gary Schwartz, Rembrandt expert.
Posts: 5454 | From: Holland | Registered: Aug 2008
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10 November 2006 until 4 February 2007 The 'Jewish' Rembrandt
In recent centuries a romantic myth has developed suggesting Rembrandt had a special bond with Jews. He was supposedly a good friend of the famous philosopher Spinoza and the outstanding rabbi Menasse ben Israel. Some people even discovered echoes of Jewish mysticism (kabbalah) in his paintings and references to Judaism. His Jewish neighbours in Amsterdam’s lively Jewish Quarter provided, it was said, the inspiration for many of his drawings and portraits. But is this really so? Formerly, many of his works were given Jewish titles, but today it’s far from clear if these were warranted. Only a few of Rembrandt’s works deal indisputably with a Jewish theme, or depict a Jew. Even his famous painting The Jewish Bride is now up for discussion – does it really represent a Jewish couple? More information
Read the opening speech by Gary Schwartz, Rembrandt expert.
Posts: 5454 | From: Holland | Registered: Aug 2008
| IP: Logged |
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