belgian school
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, a Dutch Baroque painter and printmaker, was born on July 15, 1606, in Leiden, Netherlands, and died on October 4, 1669, in Amsterdam. He is celebrated as one of the greatest storytellers in art history, acclaimed for his adept portrayal of human emotions and dramatic narratives. Rembrandt's extensive oeuvre includes portraits, self-portraits, landscapes, genre scenes, allegorical, historical, and biblical themes, as well as animal studies. His artistry shined during the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by cultural and scientific achievements in the Netherlands.
Rembrandt's education in art began around the age of 10 when he left the Latin School in Leiden to train as an artist. He apprenticed with artists like Jacob van Swanenburg and Pieter Lastman, mastering various aspects of painting. He opened his own studio in Leiden around 1624 or 1625, sharing it with his colleague Jan Lievens. By 1631, he had moved to Amsterdam, where he achieved significant success and trained many important Dutch painters.
Among Rembrandt's notable works are "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp" (1632), "The Night Watch" (1642), and "The Syndics of the Amsterdam Drapers’ Guild" (1662). He was also renowned for his self-portraits, creating around 80 over his lifetime, more than any other artist until the 20th century. These self-portraits were not just artistic endeavors but also experiments with facial expressions and lighting effects. Additionally, Rembrandt was a master etcher, transforming etching from a reproductive technique into an art form.
Rembrandt's painting style is characterized by its dramatic use of light and shadow, known as chiaroscuro. His ability to depict materials realistically was unparalleled; his portrayal of metals and fabrics was so lifelike that they appeared to glow and be tangible. He was also known for his impasto technique, applying paint thickly to the canvas, adding a three-dimensional quality to his works.
Despite his artistic prowess, Rembrandt faced financial difficulties and personal tragedies throughout his life. He declared bankruptcy in 1656, a downfall attributed partly to his extensive collection of art objects and curiosities. His masterpieces, however, continued to garner appreciation and influence generations of artists that followed.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Rembrandt's works represent a pinnacle of artistic achievement in the Dutch Golden Age. His mastery in portraying the human condition and his innovative techniques in painting and etching make his works highly prized and influential in the art world.
To stay updated on new product sales and auction events related to Rembrandt van Rijn, sign up for our updates. This subscription service is dedicated exclusively to news and events concerning works related to this unparalleled master of the Dutch Golden Age.
Heinrich Johann von Zügel was a German painter of the late nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century. He is known as a painter who specialized in depicting farm animals in dramatic and humorous situations.
Von Zügel invested more than 40 years in the subject of "Hard Labor," depicting mostly the work of oxen. By creating 24 versions of this subject, the artist demonstrated the evolution of his skill from realistic detailing to cubic and monumental interpretation. Von Zügel also created light impressionist paintings, including a self-portrait at the age of 77. In addition to animals, he also painted portraits and cityscapes.
Jean-Paul Riopelle was a Canadian painter and sculptor from Quebec. He had one of the longest and most important international careers of the sixteen signatories of the Refus Global, the 1948 manifesto that announced the Quebecois artistic community's refusal of clericalism and provincialism. He is best known for his abstract painting style, in particular his "mosaic" works of the 1950s when he famously abandoned the paintbrush, using only a palette knife to apply paint to canvas, giving his works a distinctive sculptural quality. He became the first Canadian painter since James Wilson Morrice to attain widespread international recognition.
Heinrich Johann von Zügel was a German painter of the late nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century. He is known as a painter who specialized in depicting farm animals in dramatic and humorous situations.
Von Zügel invested more than 40 years in the subject of "Hard Labor," depicting mostly the work of oxen. By creating 24 versions of this subject, the artist demonstrated the evolution of his skill from realistic detailing to cubic and monumental interpretation. Von Zügel also created light impressionist paintings, including a self-portrait at the age of 77. In addition to animals, he also painted portraits and cityscapes.
Heinrich Johann von Zügel was a German painter of the late nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century. He is known as a painter who specialized in depicting farm animals in dramatic and humorous situations.
Von Zügel invested more than 40 years in the subject of "Hard Labor," depicting mostly the work of oxen. By creating 24 versions of this subject, the artist demonstrated the evolution of his skill from realistic detailing to cubic and monumental interpretation. Von Zügel also created light impressionist paintings, including a self-portrait at the age of 77. In addition to animals, he also painted portraits and cityscapes.