Entry for "Lang Leve Rembrandt"
RIJKSMUSEUM CONTEST
2019 was the year of Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn in the Rijksmuseum, the renowned museum in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
To honour Rembrandt and his work they organised many events and exhibitions throughout the year including the contest "Lang Leve Rembrandt" (Long Live Rembrandt).
The assignment was to create an artwork inspired by Rembrandt in any way.
Entry
My entry depicts Rembrandts' point of view while he's carving his own portrait in a coin using a dry needle.
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The subject and meaning is inspired by some of Rembrandts lesser known characteristics.
The subject and meaning is inspired by some of Rembrandts lesser known characteristics.
He could be greedy from time to time, something his pupils would occasionally tease him with. Stories exist in which his pupils would paint realistic looking coins on the floor of his atelier. In the dim light of the atelier it could be mistaken for a real coin and give the pupils a good laugh when Rembrandt attempted to pick it up. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Apart from being greedy Rembrandt also was known for his pride.
Apart from being greedy Rembrandt also was known for his pride.
These characteristics are depicted in the artwork. Pride would cause him to carve his portrait in a coin, usually a place for a king or an other high ranking person. The coin itself directly resembling greed. The dry needle was chosen because this was a technique heavily used by Rembrandt to make etches, which was a large source of income for him since it allowed for copies to be made of the same artwork.
