Two Special Exhibitions and a Self-Portrait from the Rijksmuseum Showcase Works by One of the Greatest Painters in Art History
SAN DIEGO, CA – The San Diego Museum of Art is pleased to present the exhibition In the Age of Rembrandt: Dutch Paintings from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, featuring nearly 70 paintings by renowned 17th century Dutch artists whose works introduced innovative artistic and technical approaches to the art world. On view May 23, 2020, through September 7, 2020, this exhibition showcases the subjects in which Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669) and other Dutch masters specialized. Drawn on works from the extraordinary Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Collection and the MFA, Boston permanent collection, this exhibition brings never-before-seen paintings to the region.
In the Age of Rembrandt: Dutch Paintings from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston showcases Rembrandt’s extraordinary ability to use composition, color, form and brushwork to capture human emotion and imperfections, as seen in the masterpiece Portrait of Aeltje Uylenburgh (1632), one of the painter’s earlier works. Also featured in the exhibition are Reverend Johannes Elison (1634) and Maria Bockenolle (Wife of Johannes Elison) (1634), providing insight into the popularity of portraiture.
“We’re proud to introduce In the Age of Rembrandt: Dutch Paintings from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, featuring works by one of the greatest storytellers in art history, to our museum patrons and visitors for the first time,” said Roxana Velásquez, Maruja Baldwin Executive Director of The San Diego Museum of Art. “This exhibition allows visitors the rare opportunity to discover the styles, innovative motifs and subjects that emerged in Dutch art during the Golden Age. These works have never been seen before on view in our region, so it is truly an honor to host this collection at our Museum.”
Artists featured in the exhibition include Dutch masters who studied and worked alongside Rembrandt, including Gerrit Dou and Jacob van Ruisdael. The exhibition also includes works from rarely seen female painters Maria Schalcken and Rachel Ruysch.
The Dutch Republic experienced staggering economic growth during the 17th century, resulting in the rise of a burgeoning middle class with an affinity for new art. Deviating from grandiose portrayals of royalty towards depictions of everyday life, painters illustrated portraits, still lifes and landscapes, such as winter activities as seen in Winter Landscapes near a Village (ca.1610–15) and Winter Landscape with Figures in a Snowstorm (ca.1655–60).
The Age of Rembrandt is organized into seven sections including The Dutch in the World; The Telling Detail; Rough vs. Smooth; The Sight; Landscapes and the Little Ice Age; The City; and The People.
The exhibition will be accompanied by extensive interpretive texts, including seven wall texts introducing each of the seven sections and 65 wall labels with detailed explanations of each work. A variety of programming will complement the show, including a special concert entitled “Music in the Age of Rembrandt,” film screenings, and a special panel discussion. Additionally, the Museum will welcome a magnificent Rembrandt self-portrait on special loan from the Rijksmuseum of the Netherlands. The work will be on view beginning June 15, 2020, through September 15, 2020 as the Museum celebrates the Summer of Rembrandt.
In the Age of Rembrandt: Dutch Paintings from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA). At The San Diego Museum of Art, the site curator is Dr. Michael Brown, the Museum’s Curator of European Art.
Opening in conjunction with In the Age of Rembrandt: Dutch Paintings from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is Rembrandt and Printmaking in the Netherlands featuring 20 etchings and engravings, drawn from the Museum’s permanent collection and that of the University of San Diego. This exhibition, on view May 23, 2020, through September 7, 2020, allows visitors to experience the art of Rembrandt through two very different mediums, oil painting and printmaking, during the same visit. Notable works include The Descent from the Cross (ca. 1650–52); Rembrandt’s Mother with Her Hand on Her Chest: Small Bust (1631); and Self-portrait, Etching at a Window (1648).
