Rembrandt Harmenszoon Van Rijn is the greatest Dutch baroque artist. His legacy is unusually rich. An unsurpassed portrait painter and master of large-scale paintings, towards the end of his life he achieved the greatest skill in psychological portraiture. Here are a few masterpieces worthy of special attention.
The most famous paintings of Rembrandt:
1
Danae (1636)
The painting, which survived the terrible destruction, obtained after being doused with acid and cut with a knife by a mentally ill person. Several years of hard work by the restorers of the State Hermitage Museum returned it to the audience again. This picture is the greatest peak in the artist's work. She portrays Danae lying in bed, who is seduced by Jupiter, turning into golden rain. Golden light penetrates the room and illuminates the luxurious body of a woman. Each dimple on the body is deeply realistic, it seems that through the thin skin pulsating blue veins of the Danai veins are visible. Her hand is extended towards the rain, her head is slightly raised and facing the light. And from behind the curtain, a restless servant peeps out, ready to come to the first call of the mistress.
2
Changed (1627)
One of Rembrandt’s earliest paintings. He wrote it at the age of 21, but the talent and skill of the young artist are already felt. The simple plot of the picture tells about the life of a simple money changer. His table is strewn with books and scrolls, and next to it are bags of coins. I’m busy with counting. This is not the only picture where Rembrandt masterfully portrays an ordinary person at his work.
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3
The Return of the Prodigal Son (1662)
This is Rembrandt's greatest masterpiece and it plays a huge role in world art. The parable of the prodigal son tells how dear to his father is his son, who after long wanderings turns his eyes to his native home. Forgiveness, great love, compassion - everything is enclosed in the figure and face of the father. The son is on his knees, his back to the viewer. His legs were rubbed into blood, his shoes were torn, it was clear how much he had suffered until he returned home. He buried himself at his father's feet, and it seems that his shoulders are shaking from sobs. And on the right is the eldest son, who is courteous and virtuous, but it is clear that he does not understand why the father forgave the prodigal son.
4
Artaxerxes, Haman and Esther (1660)
The story of King Artaxerxes, his wife Esther and the main vizier of the cunning Haman is a well-known biblical story, both in Christianity and in Judaism. At the feast, the Esther Jewess accuses Haman of wanting to destroy her people. It is seen how the king clenches his teeth in anger, and Haman, sitting in the dark, doomed bowed down. Aman’s figure is purposely distant from a royal couple. His fate is sad.
5
The Abduction of Ganymede (1665)
The mythical plot of the picture tells of the abduction by the gods of Ganymede, the son of King Troy. The extraordinary beauty of the boy struck Zeus. He ordered his eagle to abduct the child and subsequently made him his butler. Rembrandt very realistically portrayed a crying boy, whom an eagle carries into the sky for the collar of his shirt. From fear, the baby urinates, which would be natural in such a terrible situation. Cherry berries are pinned in the boy’s hands. It is evident that he was abducted from his mother at the time of the most carefree moment when he was eating.
6
Bathsheba's Toilet (1634)
The biblical plot of the picture shows us the beautiful Bathsheba, which the maid helps in bathing. It is assumed that the model for the picture was the wife of the artist Saskia. Rembrandt very realistic depicted the body of a naked woman. The picture is made in soft warm ocher and brown tones. Everything speaks of the beauty and natural grace of Bathsheba.
7
Bathsheba reading a letter from King David (1654)
Plots on the theme of Bathsheba were portrayed several times by Rembrandt, and the picture "Bathsheba reading a letter from King David" is a continuation of the theme of Bathsheba's toilet. While the maid wipes the beauty's leg, she languidly dreams of King David, from whom she received a love letter. The body of Bathsheba is luxurious and languid, a small tummy with a soft fold lies on a barely noticeable fabric. The beauty is erotic and sensual, but at the same time very natural.
8
Hendrickier on a swim (1655)
Hendrickier is Rembrandt's second wife and she was also his muse and model. The painting depicts a young woman cautiously entering the cold water of a stream, who raised the hem of her shirt high. One can see the slim legs of a woman, and barely covered chest in a section of a shirt. The artist portrayed his wife with great love, her tender beauty and beautiful body. The figure of Hendrik seems to glow against a dark background, and his face is full of cheerful craftiness.
9
Portrait of an old woman (mother of the artist) (1631)
The portrait of Rembrandt's mother is filled with love and respect of the artist. The whole figure is placed in a dark space, a dark headpiece hides her head, and the elderly woman's face is expertly illuminated with soft light, sunken cheeks, wrinkles and a hollow mouth are written in detail, which creates an unusually realistic image.
10
Berthe Martens, wife of Herman Doumer (1640)
The portrait of the wife of the famous furniture maker of those times German Doumer was commissioned by Rembrandt, following the portrait of the master of wood. The woman is pictured seated in a simple, calm pose. Her outfit is plain - a simple dark dress and a white bonnet. But the whole portrait is filled with warmth and homeliness. Not a young woman smiling. All of her becoming full of dignity - she is the mother of a venerable family.
11
Flora, portrait of Saskia in the form of Flora (1634)
Rembrandt was very fond of his first wife, Saskia, and often depicted her on his canvases. Here Saskia is depicted in the form of Flora, the ancient goddess of the plant world. The head of the young woman is decorated with a wreath of flowers, and the elegant silk dress falls in beautiful folds. Saski is only 21 years old and she is engaged to a master. This is a wedding gift from a young Rembrandt to his future wife.
12
Simon with Jesus (1669)
The biblical theme of the picture is not accidental. Simon could not die until he picked up the newborn Christ the Savior. The biblical elder is blind and reverently holds Christ, and the Virgin Mary sadly looks over the elder’s shoulder at her newborn Son. Rembrandt painted this picture in the year of his death. It can be seen that the master is already sick and holds his hand with a trembling hand, but still, the deep warm gamut, strong subtext and facial expression of Simon make this picture the greatest masterpiece. So expect death.
13
Dr. Tulp's Anatomy Lesson (1632)
The painting shows the anatomical theater and the guild of eight surgeons who commissioned Rembrandt this group portrait. Dr. Tulp (far right) conducts an anatomy lesson, dissecting the corpse, and the men around the table study the process with curiosity. Such canvases were fashionable at that time and the guilds of artisans often ordered ceremonial portraits from famous artists for their needs.
14
Holy Family (1645)
The painting "The Holy Family" was painted in the late period of Rembrandt's work. The writing style by this time became his hallmark. Warm soft tones, a game of partial shade, without sharp outlines, attract with their tenderness and emphasize the trembling happiness of a mother in front of a cradle with a newborn baby. The child is sleeping quietly, and Mary admires her son. Joseph is depicted in the background in the background. The artist emphasizes his simple origin - he is a carpenter. The plot seems to be torn from the life of ordinary people. And only angels indicate the holiness of this family.
15
Night Watch (1642)
And we wrote about this work of the great master in an article about the most beautiful pictures of the world. It was with her that an interesting story was connected. But we will keep the intrigue, and the most curious can follow the links and find out what this picture hides.
Finally
Despite the popularity in his youth, under old age, Rembrandt eked out a miserable existence. The greatness of his talent is appreciated by the descendants. Each Rembrandt's masterpiece is a vibrant jewel in museum collections. Most-beauty.ru will continue to publish articles about great artists. You can write in the comments whose paintings you like the most and which famous Rembrandt paintings you like.