To celebrate the 350th anniversary of the death of Dutch master Rembrandt, the Rijksmuseum will kick off the year 2019 with an exhibition “All the Rembrandts” to present the world’s most comprehensive and representative overview of Rembrandt’s painting oeuvre.
The Rijksmuseum
The exhibition will feature all 22 paintings, 60 drawings and more than 300 best examples of Rembrandt’s prints in the museum’s collection, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to glean an unparalleled perspective on Rembrandt the artist, the human, the storyteller, the innovator.
Self-portrait, c. 1628
Self-Portrait as the Apostle Paul, 1661
The Rijksmuseum now holds the largest collection of Rembrandt paintings after its recent acquisition of the spectacular marriage portraits of Marten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit. The collection encompasses all Rembrandt’s periods and styles from the early Self-Portrait as a Young Man to the later Self-Portrait as the Apostle Paul.
Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem, 1630
Man in Oriental Dress, 1635
Rembrandt van Rijn, regarded as the greatest artist of Holland's "Golden Age", was born in Leiden in 1606. He became an apprentice painter under Jacob van Swanenburch in Leiden, and later Pieter Lastman in Amsterdam. Back in Leiden, he set up as an independent artist together with Jan Lievens. At this time, Rembrandt mainly painted biblical scenes in a precise style and with vibrant colours.
Saskia Sitting by a Window, c. 1638
The Three Crosses, 1653
Jupiter and Antiope, 1659
In 1631, he moved to Amsterdam where he received numerous commissions for portraits. In this period, Rembrandt developed a more powerful chiaroscuro, a looser brush and a greater sense of drama. He focused more on historical scenes, and made numerous etchings and drawings.
Landscape with a Stone Bridge, c. 1638
Self-portrait with the forearm leaning on a stone threshold, 1639
In 1634, Rembrandt married Saskia Uylenburgh. They had a son, Titus, in 1641. Then a year later Saskia died. Later, in 1654, Rembrandt had a daughter with Hendrickje Stoffels. By now, he had accumulated huge debts and was forced to sell his house and property. He died in 1669 and was buried in Amsterdam's Westerkerk.
Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq, Known as the ‘Night Watch’, 1642
The research team working on The Night Watch
The artist’s most celebrated masterpiece, The Night Watch, will also be displayed in the exhibition before its restoration begins in July 2019. The public will be able to watch the entire process at the museum and online. It is more than 40 years since The Night Watch underwent its last major restoration, following an attack on the painting in 1975.
The Wardens of the Amsterdam Drapers’ Guild, Known as ‘The Syndics’, 1662
Isaac and Rebecca, Known as ‘The Jewish Bride', c. 1665 – c. 1669
In the autumn, the Rijksmuseum will hold a second exhibition, "Rembrandt-Velázquez" from 11 October 2019 to 19 January 2020. It will put the master in an international context by placing 17th-century Spanish and Dutch masterpieces in dialogue with each another. Don’t forget to save the date!
Other highlights
Self-portrait with Tousled Hair, c. 1628 – c.1629
The Three Trees, 1643
Nude Woman Resting on a Cushion, c. 1658
Recumbent Lion, c. 1660
All the Rembrandts
Period: 15 February – 10 June 2019
Venue: Rijksmuseum
Address: Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam, Netherlands
Opening hours:
Museum admission (including All the Rembrandts):
Adults｜ € 20 (online € 19)
Holders of EYCA｜ €10 (online €9.5)
Ages 18 and under｜Free