Rembrandt is my favorite artist
74Rembrandt
Rembrandt was born in 1606 in Leiden, The Netherlands, and he died in 1669 in Amsterdam. He is my favorite painter of all time. Early in his adult life Rembrandt was famous and wealthy but he lived beyond his means and ended up losing his home and his fortune. Though bankrupt in his later life he maintained a dignified countenance. Rembrandt's self-proclaimed goal was to achieve "the greatest and most natural movement and emotion." He created roughly 600 paintings that portrayed the earthy and the spiritual in a preternatural way. He has been called a Dutch Baroque Artist. I would like to present Rembrandt to you now. Each of the paintings are master works of art. I love them to the degree that I commissioned copies to be produced of all but one of them (that will be rectified) and they are proudly displayed in my home, except for two I made gifts of to loved ones.
The Ten Commandments represented the only occasion in human history when God wrote with His own hand (or finger). When Moses came down from the mountain with this most precious gift to humankind and saw his people worshipping the golden calf (idol worship was not new nor is it out-of-date now) he was so angry that he smashed them to bits. Nonetheless, isn't it interesting that 3500 years later the Ten Commandments are still engraved on monuments, architecture and plaques ubiquitously in Western Civilization (if anyone remembers what that is). I am surprised that we succumb to vehement opposition to the Ten Commandments in the United States. They codify some pretty good ideas that I can't imagine such hostility against unless this truculence emanates from dark spiritual forces.
BELSHAZZAR'S FEAST 1635
I see the handwriting on the wall
This Biblical story from the book of Daniel is the origin of this well known idiom. In a nutshell it meant that we will die for our sins.
THE VISITATION 1640
The Visitation
Mary the mother of Jesus visits her cousin Elizabeth who is pregnant with John the Baptist. Elizabeth says to Mary, "Though art blessed among women."
THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON 1662
The Prodigal Son
This is my favorite parable in the Bible. If one digs deep, there is so much content here I could write all day about it. Suffice it to say the son was a wastrel, like me, who came crawling home to his Father with an attitude of repentance and submission and surprisingly is received with great joy and honor, which makes the older son, who has always done all the right things, angry and jealous—unable, with his hard heart, to enjoy his Father's happiness. In fact, I think he is holding a dagger in this painting.
CHRIST IN THE STORM 1633
Life is a stormy sea without Jesus
This painting represents the concept that the world is a dangerous place and our struggles can overwhelm us until we call on Jesus who is able to calm the stormy seas of life's troubles.
SAINT PAUL AT HIS WRITING DESK 1629
The Apostle Paul
The Apostle Paul wrote more of the New Testament than anyone else. This is miraculous considering Paul (Saul) hated Jesus before his conversion. This tells us that no matter how rotten and vicious a person may be, who is today completely opposed to God, that person might still be chosen by God in the future to be one of His greatest servants. God nearly always makes very unusual choices among persons (by human standards).
NIGHT WATCH 1642
THE MOST FAMOUS PAINTING BY REMBRANDT
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Comments
Brute— Thank you very much!
James, I very much enjoyed your prints. They are outstanding and I'm sure are given positions of honor in your home. I remember when they remove the Ten Commandments Monument from Judge Roy Moore's courthouse down in Alabama. We went down to Montgomery to support him the day that the despots moved them and "rode old Dixie down". Judge Moore came to speak in Maryland after they removed him from the bench. He is a good preacher and a great American.
For your listening pleasure.
My compliments, Sir
****The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down**by Joan Baez- live ? http://blip.fm/~60u7n
Out of interest, is your 'Night Watch' copy also a full size reproduction? If so, you must have quite some house, as it takes up a whole wall in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Rembrandt's series of self portraits are also fascinating works.
An interesting selection of artwork --well presented as always. Thank you.
An interesting selection of artwork --well presented as always. Thank you.
Larry— Thanks for the link to that great song. I appreciate your encouragement. Judge Moore is indeed a great American. Even though those on his side are strictly playing defense (defending 300 years of the values that made America great), their opponents somehow get away with portraying them as on the offense (trying to impose something new on people out of the clear blue) and few younger folks seem to get this paramount distinction.
Paraglider— Thank you for reading and responding. I do try to have copies made in the original size, such as my Titian, but in this case I had to go substantially smaller due to a lack of space. That was a good question, though. I agree that his self portraits are wonderful works of art.
Nemingha— You are welcome and thank you for your kind words.
The Prodigal gets it no doublt.. What's this about all these extremely gifted.. Amadeus... etc. I also freak out at the brilliance of Davinci.. and his forethought on inventions commonplace today.
James, you make us all celebrate and reflect. and when the heck are we going to JAM???
So along with all your other attributes, you are also an "artiste" LOL
Great hub, very informative...My personal favorite...Van Gogh...Starry Night
freddie— I appreciate you taking the time to view my page and leave a comment for me. There have been incredibly gifted artists on this earth. I suppose that is because we were created in the Image of God and He is pretty darned creative his own self.
I'm ready to jam but my drums are in Michigan and I am in Florida.
Johnnie— Thank you for the compliment. Starry Night is a great painting. I have been blessed to have viewed it up close in The City at MOMA. All paintings are far more impressive in person. I do like the Impressionists—but I only have so many walls! I do have one Renoir.
Rembrandt is one of my favorites and Monet comes in the top two as well. What impressive photos and you certainly did Rembrandt justice by also writing a great article show casing him.:)
AEvans— I am pleased that you enjoyed reviewing the Hub. Coming from an obviously very popular star of the HubPages it is encouraging. I, too, appreciate Monet. Thanks!
Rembrandt is amazing artist. But if I had to pick a favorite it would have to be Dali. His vision was just too creative and unique.
Ashley Joy— Dali is a worthwhile favorite to have. His paintings are incredible and beautiful. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Thanks for sharing, I really like these paintings. Do you have a copy of that painting in your house?
sepiroth— Yes I do. I have had copies made of each of these paintings so I can see them every day. I am glad you like them. Thanks for coming by and your kind comments.
I can not pin point a favorite because i see so much craft in so many. I admire Picasso, Chagall, Monet, O'Keeffe, Dali, Angelo... on and on and no way to make a decision!
C.S.— I know what you mean. Isn't human creativity amazing?! Monet, Dali . . .
Rembrandt is one of my favorites. I have the Prodigal habging in my office. It always brings up the most vivid discussion. Great selection here.
coffeesnob— Why, thank you very much! The Prodigal may be my favorite. I appreciate you for stopping by and leaving a note.
I really enjoyed looking at some of your Rembrandt collections here. Reminded me of art history class that I took in college. Great selections. Must be nice to look at them everyday at your home. What genius was he to depict history from bible in such vivid way.
Interested in more of your art articles to come...
jajeisan5892— I am glad you enjoyed them! That makes publishing the Hub satisfying. Actually, not too many years ago I took a couple art history classes—just for fun—and that is what spurred me on to have these copies made. I appreciate your support.
I like the old classics also; yet being from Minnesota, Terry Redlin captures the out of doors in a good way from the Dakotas to Wisconsin....nice hub; good pictures.
Thanks for your comments. I shall check out Redlin. Right now. I appreciate the tip.
St. Paul at his writing desk is my favorite here.
Frieda— Thanks for reviewing them and letting me know your favorite. I have that painting right in my living room so I look at it every single day. It is a simple scene—but very appealing.
I'm tinged with jealousy. Very lucky you are. I've designed a house in my head and it has a very interesting art gallery in it. Wouldn't that be lovely? Ah, stuff to dream of and to keep one inspired. Thanks for sharing your art collection. It's wonderful to view. A reason for parties I bet.
Thank you and you are welcome. It is my pleasure. I am blessed to live surrounded by beauty.
James,
I enjoyed this hub very much. The art work ... well that goes without saying. In addition, I very much appreciate your explanation of the deeper meanings behind the paintings. God Bless.
R Burow— I appreciate your gracious words both here and the fan mail you sent me. I am glad you liked this Hub. I love these paintings.
Rembrandt, I believe must have been touched by God. It seems he carried the Spirit into his biblical paintings. In Moses breaking the tablets you can see the pain on his face, the disappointment and really feel it. In Belshazzar's Feast you can really capture the fear of realizing that you are a sinner who will pay for your sins. Realizing that God IS real! In the Return of the Prodigal Son, the love represented there is really felt. Unconditional, the way it should be. Oh, Christ in the storm. Magnificent. I absolutly love it. Such turbulence, fear and total peace with Jesus. An absolute favorite of mine. St. Paul at his writing desk. An awesome artistic representation of the Apostle with so much of God's work to still complete. You can really feel his suffering, anguish and the burden he felt to win so many souls for God.
Kym— I wish you had given me these words before I wrote this piece! :D
You are a wonderfully gifted connoisseur of Rembrandt's work. I so appreciate you adding these discerments of his work that I was unable to articulate.
TheMindlessBrute says:
7 months ago
Excellent selection of artwork here, James.Thumbs up!