An essential guide to Rembrandt and his works

Statue of Dutch painter Rembrandt in Rembrandt square, Amsterdam. Pic/iStock

July 15 marks Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn's 415th birth anniversary. A prolific visual artist, he belonged to the Dutch Golden Age and continues to be among the most famous artists across the world. Even though his work featured varying subject matters and styles, he was most known for portraits and biblical illustrations. We have compiled a list of online experiences, documentaries, and books for you to better acquaint yourself with the legendary artist and his works.

Experiences

Interactive art

Museums around the world adapted to the absence of a physical audience in myriad ways. As art lovers adapt to virtual tours and exhibitions, attempts at providing immersive experiences are continuously being made. Netherland's national museum, the Rijksmuseum houses a vast collection of artworks by the Dutch masters, including Rembrandt. The museum has launched an interactive tour dedicated to masterpiece - ‘The Night Watch'. Starting with an introductory video, users can proceed to explore more about the painting's history, symbolism, technique, composition, and much more. Zoom as much as you'd like and switch between stories to learn more about this world-famous artwork. There is also a children's tour that is ideal for the entire family.
Log onto nightwatchexperience.com/en

Immersive exhibitions

If you are remotely interested in art and miss visiting museums, Google Arts and Culture might be worth checking out. The platform offers multiple exhibitions by expert curators featuring artworks from prominent museums across the globe. '10 Facts about Rembrandt' and ‘Listen to a Rembrandt come alive' are two of the multi-sensory exhibitions featuring Rembrandt's works from museums in Netherlands, Germany, as well as the USA. Additionally, enthusiasts can view over two thousand artworks by Rembrandt and explore the timeline of his work via the app and website.
Log onto artsandculture.google.com/entity/rembrandt/m0bskv2

Watch

Documenting his works

My Rembrandt is a must-watch for art enthusiasts. Directed by Oeke Hoogendijk, this documentary reveals a host of gripping tales surrounding Rembrandt's most iconic works. Providing fascinating insight, My Rembrandt touches upon everything from technique to enduring legacy. Among the most appealing aspects of the film is the exploration of the society's continued fascination with Rembrandt by examining contemporary relationships with his work.
Available on: Google Play

Touring Rembrandt house

Between 1639 and 1656, Rembrandt lived and worked in a house in the Jodenbreestraat neighbourhood in Amsterdam. The historic house is presently an art museum housing a collection of Rembrandt's etchings and paintings featuring his contemporaries. If you too want to take a peek inside, the museum's director Lidewij de Koekkoek takes viewers on a special tour of The Rembrandt House. As she shares her unique insight, the informative tour dives into the home, life, and the works of the famous artist.
Available on: rembrandthuis.nl/en/rembrandt-home-live/fromhome/

Read

Painting glory

Released on the occasion of Rembrandt's 350th death anniversary, Rembrandt- The Complete Paintings by Volker Manuth features reproductions of all 330 paintings by the master. From ‘The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulip' to ‘Belshazzar's Feast', the mega-sized monograph serves the purpose of a mini gallery.

A look at the artist

Rembrandt: The Painter at Work by Ernt van de Wetering deep dives into the masterful process behind Rembrandt's artworks. The author, a reputed Dutch historian, divulges the technique and materials of the great artist. Readers will also come across profound insights into the pictorial intentions of Rembrandt in this widely acclaimed book.

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