Seventeenth-century Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn may have more name recognition than nearly any other European artist, his popularity due in large part to what art historian Alison McQueen identifies in her book of the same name as “the rise of the cult of Rembrandt.” Popular Rembrandt veneration brought us in the 20th century such corporate appropriations of the painter’s legacy as Rembrandt toothpaste and money market firm Rembrandt Funds (particularly ironic, “given the notoriety of Rembrandt’s bankruptcy in 1656”). “In contemporary popular culture,” writes McQueen, “Rembrandt’s name has such resonance that the headline of an article in the New York Times Magazine in 1995 referred to the trendy barber Franky Avila as ‘the Rembrandt of Barbers.’”
By invoking Rembrandt’s name, the author knew his readers would understand that this connection implies that Avila’s skill with a razor equals that of Rembrandt’s with his paintbrush or etching needle… even if a reader has never actually seen any work by Rembrandt.
Indeed, though any person on the street will likely know the artist’s name, most would be hard-pressed to name any of his paintings, except perhaps his well-known self-portraits, which have adorned t‑shirts, posters, and iPhone cases. I might not have known much more about Rembrandt than those self-portraits either had I not lived in Washington, DC, where I had free access to many of his paintings at the National Gallery of Art. The Dutch master was astonishingly prolific, painting, drawing, and etching hundreds of portraits of himself and his patrons, as well as hundreds of still lifes, landscapes, scenes from mythology, and many, many Biblical subjects.
Nowadays, you can see Rembrandt’s paintings for free online, whether from the National Gallery of Art’s collection, that of the National Gallery in London, or of the Dutch Rijksmuseum. And for another side of his genius, you can now go to the site of New York’s Morgan Library and Museum, who have digitized “almost 500 images from the Morgan’s exceptional collection of Rembrandt etchings,” celebrating his “unsurpassed skill and inventiveness as a master storyteller.” There are, of course, plenty of self-portraits, like the 1630 “Self Portrait in a Cap, Open-Mouthed” at the top of the post, and there are portraits of others, like that of the artist’s mother, above, from 1633. There are religious scenes like the 1655 “Abraham’s Sacrifice” below, and landscapes like “The Three Trees,” further down, from 1643.
These are the four main categories that the Morgan uses to organize this impressive collection, but you’ll also find there more humble, domestic subjects, like the 1640 “Sleeping Puppy,” below. Writes Hyperallergic, “The Morgan holds in its collection most of the roughly 300 known etchings by Rembrandt, including rare, multiple versions (hence the discrepancy in number of etchings versus number of images.)” Like his highly accomplished paintings, Rembrandt’s etchings “are famous for their dramatic intensity, penetrating psychology, and touching humanity,” as well as, of course, for the extraordinary skill with which the artist made these works of art. Thanks to the “cult of Rembrandt,” we all know the artist’s name and reputation; now, thanks to digital collections from National Galleries, the Rijksmuseum, and now the Morgan, we can become experts in his work as well. Enter the Morgan collection of sketches here.
Note: Note: An earlier version of this post appeared on our site in 2015.
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Josh Jones is a writer and musician based in Durham, NC. Follow him at @jdmagness
I was Raised to appreciate ARt am now 65 years old. Never really had the money to do the paintings that I would love to do but I appreciate art. That’ss sketch of the Puppy I absolutely love. I don’t have any money to donate. But if I did I would I don’t usually.
Do contest because I am Dyslexic Speak into the phone even though some of the words Do not come out the way I saybut here it goes.
The email address is my daughter’s. I do not have a computer.I would love a Copy of it.
But I think that contest is it’s amazing. Mary E Morgan
I am poor too but I would love one as well sir.. thank u for ur time
I am Jessica and
I would love one as well sir.. thank u for ur time
Hello.
How can I obtain a drawing? Rembrandt’s work is a masterpiece to appreciate.
Thank you.
84 in a few days. I am a Master Artist from Belgium Royal Art Academy. I had the pleasure to see Rembrandt paintings in Holland years ago. He will never be equal. I love to have an etching from him. Just a dream. Best Regards Gustave
I am seventy nine years old and have appreciated art all my adult life. I have collected all sorts of lithographs,serigraphs, oils and acrylics of unknown artists and known artist. I do not own a rembrandt. I have several etchings also. I would love to own a digital copy to have framed and have it join all the other beautiful works in my home. I find art in the same category as beautiful music.
I am not a fan of Rembrandt, I’m a Superfan! In my imagination and whimsy, I would meet this man and learn everything I could possibly absorb from each second in his company!
He painted us, the ordinary, the everyday man or woman child (Girl with a Broom) copy of course) but it never gets old to look at the girl in the painting, as he did at the time, and want to know her story.i know he wen r bankrupt and had tragedy in his life.
But that man, that artist, is to this day entertaining all of us, over and over. I think he knew the etchings would last far into the future.
It would be an honor to host his art, of any kind, in my home.
Thank you
Colleen Saybrook
I can clear some shit off my refrigerator to hang one of his POS sketches.
I loved the Rembrandt display I saw in Minnesota years ago. I used to sketch as a teenager and always loved art in all it form. I would love a copy of his sketches.
I loved the Rembrandt display I saw in Minnesota years ago. I used to sketch as a teenager and always loved art in all it form.
I am a fan of Rembrandt and would love one of these etching please!
Dear sirs,
I would enjoy having any of the sketches, drawings,and/ doodles. I BELIEVE in my heart he was a real genius. It would be an honor to have any one of them.
If we enjoy the little things like a four leaf clover,or a rainbow, imagine how wonderful to share a part of the creative mind of such a man. After all he had a God given talent.
Thankyou
Cynthia Stovall
WOULD LOVE ETCHING. ON LIMITED INCOME. CANT DONATE. SORRY. WHAT A WONDERFUL IDEA. THANK YOU.
My mother is a huge fan of Remnant remembering hard books of Remnant sitting on coffee table she would live a sketch of before she dies she was just Diagnosed with cancer remnant was amazing artist what talent thank you sincerely Lisa Davis
Good morning!
I love art! But, I could never afford even thinking of buying one let alone by one. What a dream it would be to own one.
Warmest regards, Tj
I inherited a Rembrandt etching from my father. He purchased it about 50 years ago at Harrods in London and I have their certification. Would love another one of the artist if available. Don’t exactly understand how you are giving/.selling these but could pay something for the right one.
Rebecca
I enjoyed the article, and the links to view all of the Morgan collection, it’s nice to see some of Rembrandt’s work as I have only seen a few pictures in high school textbooks many years ago. Art is meant to be appreciated and viewing it through your article was a blessing just as good as standing in front of it. Thanks.
As for this comments section which appears to have evolved into a beggar’s wall. I don’t know why you many folks are expecting to be given something for nothing. Even more perplexing, have you not looked at the Link to the Morgan Collection? You can copy and save all of them to your computer; or print them to your heart’s content and hang them on your fridge, or even go to greater lengths to print them in a fancy way that will better resemble their true nature so you can hang it at your home. It’s completely up to you.
Please enter my name for the Rembrandt drawing. I would surely treasure Rembrandt Etching. Thank You, Frank Garrity
I was an art teacher for years in the Public Schools. I wish that I could have had a Rembrandt to share with my students, I would like one now to share with the young people in my church, a small
Episcopal Church. I would frame it and hang it in a prominent place so that all of our children could so a real Rembrandt. I can imagine how much everyone would love it. The fact that you all hane created such a program is terrific.
Wishing you all the best, Julia Davis
I am a high school art teacher and would love to have one for my Art History class!!
Thanks
Jim