It was 403 years ago today, that Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, the Dutch painter, was born. He depicted himself 40-50 times, which trumps even Vincent Van Gogh. Here is an early self-portrait of Rembrandt and his last, plus some pithy quotes.
"Practise what you know, and it will help to make clear what now you do not know"
"Old age is a hindrance to creativity but cannot crush my youthful spirit. "
"Choose only one master - Nature."
"I envy the poet. He is encouraged towards drunkenness and wallows with nubile wenches while the painter must endure wretchedness and pain for his art."
Here, according to a Dutch speaker, is the pronunciation of Rembrandt van Rijn.
6 comments:
You're in sync with Dutch friends who just mentioned this.
If anyone who sees hasn't read Simon Schama's Rembrandt's Eyes, highly recommend (along with gazillion other people, I'm sure).
Love the quotes & I recall the last. Remember thinking, as I do now, hey, buddy, poets will match your wretchedness any day. Not exceed, but match. lol Thanks, Hazel...
xo/svs
ha. wonderful quotes.
What Brian said.
Hazel, thanks for the link re: post. I replied on bric but don't know if you'll see. I thought I'd seen all the painting stuff on TCP. Obviously not. Have bookmarked to read later tonight. Glad you have a few days at home.
S.
He is damn sure right about the poet!
Alas, I'm a painter at heart. I was always more visual than verbal.
Gee, I wish I was a poet!
Post a Comment