From 10 November 2006 until 4 February 2007 the Jewish
Historical Museum presents the exhibition The 'Jewish'
Rembrandt. This fascinating exhibition will unravel the
romantic myth that has grown up over the centuries about
Rembrandt's special relationship with the Jews. Paintings that have
played an important part in the formation of this myth have been
assembled from all around the world. The exhibition brings to a
close the nationwide celebrations of the 400th anniversary of
Rembrandt's birth.
A variety of factors have contributed to the myth of the 'Jewish'
Rembrandt since the eighteenth century. It is said that the painter
counted the philosopher Spinoza and rabbi Menasseh ben Israel among
his friends. Some people claimed to see traces of Jewish mysticism
(kabbalah) and references to Judaism in his paintings. Rembrandt's
neighbours in Amsterdam's Jewish quarter are supposed to have
inspired many of his portraits and drawings, and his paintings of
bearded men wearing skullcaps have taken on titles such as
Rabbi with flat hat or Polish Jew.
However, recent research has cast doubt upon each of these
suppositions, with the result that the scores of Rembrandt
paintings that were once believed to depict Jewish subjects have
been reduced to a mere handful. Even his famous painting The
Jewish Bride is now subject to discussion: does it really
depict a Jewish marriage?
In the exhibition The 'Jewish' Rembrandt the JHM
juxtaposes fact and fiction. Paintings such as the impressive
Moses with the Tablets of the Law and the portrait of Dr.
Ephraïm Bueno can be seen alongside the book Piedra
Gloriosa containing Rembrandt's etchings, and works by the
artist's students and followers. These are set against a multimedia
context of sound recordings, expert opinions and animations of the
Jewish quarter in the seventeenth century. We invite visitors to
draw their own conclusions about the 'truth' of the 'Jewish'
Rembrandt.
For images
and/or further information please contact the communications
department:
T +31 (0)20 531 0370
F +31 (0)20 531 0311
E Communications
Department