Northern Europe
In the opening months of 2023, the museum underwent an extensive renovation and reimagination before reopening to the public. More recently excavated everyday objects like tobacco pipes and pots are now on display in the home. Rembrandt House Museum Head of Collections Epco Runia now calls the historic home and museum “the only surviving piece of art education from the 17th century.” RIJKSMUSEUM: The Ultimate Rembrandt Collection The best place to view his masterpieces is the fabled Rijksmuseum, located in Amsterdam South’s Museum Square. Rijksmuseum is home to the world’s largest collection of Rembrandt’s paintings, including The Jewish Bride and his perceived masterpiece, The Night Watch . The latter, whose full name is the less-memorable The Militia Company of Captain Frans Banning Cocq , took two years for Rembrandt to complete following its commission for the new hall of the musketeer branch of the Dutch Civic Militia, the Klovenjersdoelen. The world-famous painting has called the Rijksmuseum home since its current iteration opened in 1885. The iconic museum is also home to a comprehensive collection of drawings that span all of Rembrandt’s periods and styles. As an added plus, the historic museum also exhibits works by fellow native sons Vincent Van Gogh and Johannes Vermeer.
A LASTING LEGACY in Amsterdam
It often seems that every artist’s life is destined to be overflowing with personal tragedy and uncertainty. But Rembrandt’s life was far from just dreary or tortured, and his overall output was truly prolific. Primarily characterized by his use of chiaroscuro, which theatrically employs light and shadow in a dramatic style first mastered by Caravaggio, Rembrandt’s paintings also exude a tangible energy and personality—just like the city of Amsterdam. Dylan Barmmer lives in Costa Mesa, California. He is the founder and raconteur of Word Is Born (WordIsBorn.net), the passionate creator of Random Acts of Poetry and an alumnus of the University of Notre Dame.
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