Rembrandt - his life, his work, and his time (1903) (14598463270)

Identifier: rembrandthislife00mich (find matches)

Title: Rembrandt : his life, his work, and his time

Year: 1903 (1900s)

Authors: Michel, Emile, 1828-1909 Wedmore, Frederick, Sir, 1844-1921

Subjects: Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, 1606-1669

Publisher: London : Heinemann New York : Scribner

Contributing Library: University of California Libraries

Digitizing Sponsor: Internet Archive

Text Appearing Before Image:

ge, towards which a carriage full of people advances ; in theforeground, a dark pool on which are two swans, and a small boat;under some trees to the right a flaming forge and a blacksmith atwork; in the background, a confused mass of slopes, towers, windmills,aqueducts, a village, &c.—make up a somewhat bewildering sum ofdetails. It must be allowed, however, that there are no incongruouselements in the scene, the effect of daylight is skilfully rendered, andthe golden tones of the background melt into pleasant harmony withthe pale blues of the luminous sky. The canvas is not in absolutelyfirst-rate condition, but is on the whole fairly well preserved, andthe general effect is brilliant and animated. The latest of thesepainted landscapes, the Windmill, formerly in the Orleans collection,and now at Bowood, is the masterpiece of the whole series. It maypossibly be a composition, but this it would be difficult to determine* Ii would seem to be rather a Bivouac of Shepherds.—F. W,

Text Appearing After Image:

\n 5 LANDSCAPES PAINTED BY REMBRANDT 283 from the arrangement, and the general effect, which is still morehomogeneous than that of the Landscape with Siuans, has all theappearance of a direct inspiration from nature. A windmill surroundedby a few cottages rises from a hillock above a watercourse. Thelower part only is illuminated. The outline is relieved against a wildand stormy sky. The sun has sunk below the horizon, but his lastrays gild the broad wings of the mill; below, the water, the banks andthe distant landscape melt into the gathering shadows ; a silence, asof advancing night, broods upon the scene. The spectator seems tohear the beat of water against some boat at anchor, and the furtiveflight of an unseen bird in the thicket. A solemn calm descendsupon the earth. Here the details are better chosen and lesscomplicated ; and instead of distracting the attention, they enhancethe melancholy poetry of the landscape. Rembrandts studies werebearing fruit. He dared to be simple, to

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1903

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