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Volume IV of A Corpus of Rembrandt Paintings deals uniquely with the self-portraits of Rembrandt. In a clearly written explanatory style the head of the Rembrandt Research Project and Editor of this Volume, Ernst van de Wetering, discusses the full body of work of paintings and etchings portraying Rembrandt. He sets the different parameters for accepting or rejecting a Rembrandt self-portrait as such, whilst also discussing the exact working environment of Rembrandt and his apprentices. This workshop setting created a surroundings where apprentices could be involved in working on Rembrandt paintings making it more difficult to determine the hand of the master. Van de Wetering, who is one of the Rembrandt experts of our day and age, goes down to great detail to explain how the different self-portraits are made and what techniques Rembrandt uses, also giving an overview of which paintings are to be attributed to the Dutch Master and which not.
In the additional catalogue the self-portraits are examined in detail. In clear and accessible explanatory text the different paintings are discussed, larded with immaculate images of each painting. Details are shown where possible, as well as the results of modern day technical imaging like X-radiography.
This work of art history and art research should be part of every serious art historical institute, university or museum. Nowhere in the art history have all Rembrandt's self portraits been discussed in such detailed and comparative manner by an authority such as Ernst van de Wetering. This is a standard work for decades to come.
List of contents
Essays.- By his own hand. The valuation of autograph paintings in the 17th century.- Rembrandt's clothes - Dress and meaning in his self-portraits.- Rembrandt's self-portraits: problems of authenticity and function.- Grounds in Rembrandt's workshop and in paintings by his contemporaries.- Biographical information 1643-1669.- Catalogue.- Self-portrait in a flat cap.- Self-portrait.- 'self-portrait'.- 'self-portrait'.- Self-portrait.- 'self-portrait'.- Rembrandt leaning on a windowsill.- Large self-portrait.- Self-portrait.- Self-portrait with sketchbook.- 'self-portrait'.- 'self-portrait'.- Small self-portrait.- Self-portrait.- Self-portrait.- Unfinished Self-portrait.- 'self-portrait'.- Self-portrait.- Self-portrait at the easel.- Self-portrait.- 'self-portrait'.- 'self-portrait'.- 'self-portrait'.- Self-portrait as St Paul.- Self-portrait as Zeuxis laughing.- Self-portrait.- Self-portrait.- Self-portrait.- Self-portrait.
About the author
Ernst van de Wetering is professor emeritus of art history at the University of Amsterdam. He has been involved with the Rembrandt Research Project since the beginning and has been chairman of the project since 1993. Internationally renowned as the authority on Rembrandt and his paintings, Van de Wetering has published extensively on the topic of historic painting techniques, as well as on the field of theory and ethics of conservation and restoration.
Summary
Volume IV of A Corpus of Rembrandt Paintings deals uniquely with the self-portraits of Rembrandt. In a clearly written explanatory style the head of the Rembrandt Research Project and Editor of this Volume, Ernst van de Wetering, discusses the full body of work of paintings and etchings portraying Rembrandt. He sets the different parameters for accepting or rejecting a Rembrandt self-portrait as such, whilst also discussing the exact working environment of Rembrandt and his apprentices. This workshop setting created a surroundings where apprentices could be involved in working on Rembrandt paintings making it more difficult to determine the hand of the master. Van de Wetering, who is one of the Rembrandt experts of our day and age, goes down to great detail to explain how the different self-portraits are made and what techniques Rembrandt uses, also giving an overview of which paintings are to be attributed to the Dutch Master and which not.
In the additional catalogue the self-portraits are examined in detail. In clear and accessible explanatory text the different paintings are discussed, larded with immaculate images of each painting. Details are shown where possible, as well as the results of modern day technical imaging like X-radiography.
This work of art history and art research should be part of every serious art historical institute, university or museum. Nowhere in the art history have all Rembrandt’s self portraits been discussed in such detailed and comparative manner by an authority such as Ernst van de Wetering. This is a standard work for decades to come.
Additional text
This is an enthralling book that opens a wide window onto art-historical method. A range of disciplines - scientific analysis, connoisseurship, costume history - are employed with great lucidity. (Times Literary Supplement January, 6th 2006)
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This is an enthralling book that opens a wide window onto art-historical method. A range of disciplines - scientific analysis, connoisseurship, costume history - are employed with great lucidity. (Times Literary Supplement January, 6th 2006)
