Rembrandt: The Painter at Work

by Wetering Ernst van de and Ernst van de Wetering

Book Overview

Rembrandt's intriguing painting technique stirred the imaginations of art lovers during his lifetime and has done so ever since. In this book, now revised, updated, and with a new foreword by the author, Rembrandt's pictorial intentions and the variety of materials and techniques he applied to create his fascinating effects are unraveled in depth. At the same time, this "archaeology" of Rembrandt's paintings yields information on many other levels...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520258843
• ISBN13: 9780520258846
• Release Date: April 2009
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Length: 356 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 9.5" x 10.4"

Customer Reviews

Absolutely Essential

There isn't much more I can say, which hasn't already been said to reveal the great merits of this book. However I think the sheer quantity of 5 star ratings speaks volumes. This book is essential for any academic or personal study of Rembrandt, especially so for a painter as I am. On top of all the incredible detailed scientific analysis, the text is written very clearly and is even a pleasure to read. Above all, the detail shots of his paint surface, are breath taking and most instructive for any painter. They utilized different levels of magnification to reveal his work from the entirety of the picture down to the microscopic level. This book has revolutionized my studio practice! Richard T Scott Joelle-Scott Gallery

Excellent

This book is probably the best study of an individual artist's techniques I've yet to come across. If you have any interest in Rembrandt, whether it be as a art historian, artist or fan of the artist, this book should be an essential component of your library. The book details the results of extensive studies by the author and colleagues on the various techniques adopted by Rembrandt. The opening paragraphs provide background on the life of Rembrandt, the materials available to him, and the state of the art environment in which he worked. This is followed by extensive studies of the techniques he used. Analytical methods such as xray, paint & varnish composition, microscopy, review of the canvas and wood supports etc. help the author to determine "Is every "Rembrandt" a Rembrandt?". The techniques used by Rembrandt as he tries to create various effects within the limitations of the paints etc he used, forms the foundation of the book. For any artists wanting to paint in the style of Rembrandt I can't imagine any book providing the degree of detail that is provided here. The quality of the images are first class, majority in colour. The paper quality is also first rate. My only complaint is that the images are not numbered individually. You have to read the accompanying text to determine which image is which and where they are located on the page. I assume this was the result of printing considerations. A first class book. And essential for anyone interested in Rembrandt and/or Dutch painting in the 1600's. 100% Recommended.

Worth every penny

I was surprised when I received my paperback copy, because I did not expect the quality of the paper used and the bright pictures on each page. Every picture is highly detailed, and each word is legible and easy on the eyes. The book itself is quite informative. Not so much a biography, as it focuses more on Rembrandt's secrets behind what made his paintings so unique and different. Though he died keeping many of his secret techniques to himself, the author of the book shows his research over the years into what he and his counterparts feel are the best explanations to how Rembrandt may have gone about doing his paintings. A number of Rembrandt's paintings have been able to withstand the test of time over hundreds of years, whereas present-day paintings often show deterioration within years. This book discuses why this is so, along with other fascinating observations. This is a great book for anyone remotely interested in art or history, but even better for artists looking to become better.

The best monograph on Rembrandt ever printed

Rembrandt is perhaps the greatest painter in the history of the western cannon and this is the finest book on his work ever printed. The abundance of detailed enlargements -which really make an art book great and which are all too often lacking- are the next best thing to being in front of the paintings. They show Rembrandt for the enormous genius he was, both synthesizing the techniques that came before him as well as creating methods of application which to this day remain an enigma and elusive mystery. Rembrandt, a great draughtsman and technician, was also an outrageous innovator. The details in this book show sections of paintings that would make any abstracts expressionist's head spin. The scholarship of the text, clearly a lobour of love and lifetime devotion, are as worthy as scholarsip can be of art this magnificent.

Clear, detailed look into the painting methods of Rembrandt

Clear, open-minded, intelligent, detailed, and written with expert knowledge and love of the subject. Figures are high quality, very relevant, and informative.Wetering writes as a scientist with an artist's eye.Fascinating discussions of Rembrandt's use of underpainting and subsequent background to foreground painting method, the ingredients of his painting medium (no resin!), the effect of yellowing in the protective varnish layer, and other fundamental aspects of Rembrandt's art.Read for the latest scientific insight's into Rembrandt's working methods and for greater appreciation of Rembrandt's abilities and works.