Rembrandt in Amsterdam: Creativity and Competition

Amsterdam was a crucial city for Rembrandt van Rijn's (1606–1669) development as an artist, as it was the commercial capital of northern Europe and had a prosperous art market. He married the cousin of a successful art dealer and gained access to wealthy and sophisticated patrons, which inspired him to evolve his style from small, meticulous panels to broadly brushed, dramatically lit, and realistically rendered canvases. "Rembrandt in Amsterdam" explores this transition and the creative community of Amsterdam's role in his development. The exhibition will be held at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa from May 14–September 6, 2021, and at the Städel Museum in Frankfurt am Main in the fall of 2021.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 22 December 2020
Publisher: Yale University Press

Amsterdam played a crucial role in Rembrandt van Rijn's (1606–1669) evolution as an artist. At the age of 25, he moved from his hometown of Leiden to Amsterdam, which was the commercial capital of northern Europe at the time. This bold move demonstrated Rembrandt's desire to benefit financially from Amsterdam's robust art market. He quickly married the cousin of a successful art dealer and gained frequent contact with wealthy and sophisticated patrons who eagerly commissioned him to paint their portraits.

Rembrandt's style underwent a significant transformation during his time in Amsterdam. His earlier works, characterized by small, meticulous panels, gave way to broadly brushed, dramatically lit, and realistically rendered canvases that are now renowned for their brilliance. This shift in style was influenced by the stimulating and affluent environment of Amsterdam, which encouraged him to push the boundaries of his artistic expression.

Amsterdam's creative community played a significant role in Rembrandt's development. The city was home to a diverse group of artists, including fellow painters such as Jan Lievens, Johannes Vermeer, and Frans Hals, as well as sculptors, printmakers, and architects. Rembrandt's interactions with these artists and his exposure to their work influenced his artistic style and broadened his range of subjects.

Rembrandt in Amsterdam: A Pivotal Transition in the Artist's Career is a lavishly illustrated volume that explores this pivotal transition in Rembrandt's career. It provides a fascinating look into Amsterdam's unparalleled creative community and its role in Rembrandt's development of a wide-ranging brand that encompassed landscapes, genre scenes, history paintings, portraits, and printmaking. The exhibition schedule for this volume includes the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa (May 14–September 6, 2021) and the Städel Museum in Frankfurt am Main (Fall 2021).

In conclusion, Amsterdam played a crucial role in Rembrandt van Rijn's evolution as an artist. His move to the city at the age of 25 marked a bold step towards financial success and exposure to a diverse range of creative influences. The stimulating and affluent environment of Amsterdam inspired him to push the boundaries of his artistic expression, resulting in a body of work that is now celebrated for its brilliance and diversity. Rembrandt in Amsterdam: A Pivotal Transition in the Artist's Career offers a fascinating glimpse into this pivotal period in Rembrandt's career and the creative community that shaped his artistic development.

Weight: 2494g
Dimension: 252 x 314 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300249934