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International Art Treasures Web Magazine May 2004 |
The Rijksmuseum
The MasterpiecesDuring the current renovation process at the Rijksmuseum much of the artwork is on display in a special exhibition called Rijksmuseum: The Masterpieces located in the Philips Wing. Rembrandt, the Baroque master, was fond of creating his work in layers using delicate glazes this allowed light to reflect through the white under painting. Naturally the most acclaimed work in the collection "The Militia Company of Captain Frans Banning Cocq and Lieutenant Willem van Ruytenburch" by Rembrandt van Rijn popularly nicknamed "The Night Watch" will be available to new and repeat visitors during the construction phase. It is the best example of what was very popular at one time in Holland, portraits of military companies. The incorrect nickname that will be forever associated with this work came from the 18th century because of the discoloration of the varnish over time. It is actually a daytime scene. Fittingly this imposing painting is the last piece of The Masterpieces Exhibition. It had to be moved to allow the renovations to begin, not an easy task. Moving The Night Watch
An impressive collection of talented individuals from Royal Philips Electronics and Gerlach Art Packers and Shippers coordinated the successful move of Rembrandt's masterpiece on December 11, 2003. The full article describing this fascinating journey for The Night Watch is here.
The popularity of Johannes Vermeer, native son of Delft, came after his death. He produced images of ordinary life such as The Kitchen Maid, heavily focused on the simplistic task of pouring liquid into a bowl. He was a proponent of camera obscura, a method of painting utilizing a dark box with a pinhole to project an image onto paper for the artist to trace. Vermeer didn't trace the image per se to complete the work but used the technique to add a dollop of realism to his art. He painted using dabs, a precursor to the Impressionists who favored pointillism. A critical part of his work was his rendition of light affecting color and form.
Whimsical and fun is one way to describe the works of Jan Steen. He enjoyed depicting a lively home with the various activities of the inhabitants, each a part of their own world and of the larger family activities. Steen is known as a subtle colorist who favored salmon red, pale yellow, dove gray and blue green. Steen liked to have the subjects interact in a comic way and gave them human characteristics in a realistic portrayal of family life such as The Merry Family. Jacob van Ruisdael is widely considered to be the more versatile of the Dutch landscape painters. The powerful image of wind and sky in The Mill at Wijk-bij-Duurstede illustrates the strong use of color and form. Jacob followed in the footsteps of his father, Isaac van Ruisdael a noted painter.
Included within the exhibition are some of the perennial favorites among the permanent collection such as the Dolls' Houses, Gold, Silver, Porcelain and other decorative arts not to mention the icons of Dutch history. For his countrymen, Johannes Lutma was considered to be the leading silversmith of his time.
History and Future Plans
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