Past Exhibitions
Rembrandt and the Golden Age of Dutch Art: Treasures from the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Five years ago, when Holland's national art museum, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, announced it would be closing for several years for renovations, Phoenix Art Museum set out to bring to the United States a selection of the finest accomplishments in Dutch 17th century art from the Rijksmuseum's renowned collection. Now, the fruits of that collaboration and half a decade of hard work on both sides of the Atlantic come to Phoenix for all to enjoy and experience.
The Rijksmuseum is considered the national treasure of The Netherlands and houses the world's most stunning and complete collection of 17th century Dutch painting and decorative arts. Rembrandt and the Golden Age of Dutch Art marks the first time an exhibition of this size from its collection will be presented in the United States, with 90 stellar examples of Dutch 17th century paintings, prints and sculptures, and a fine selection of ceramic, glass, and silver showpieces reflective of those shown in the paintings.
Rembrandt and the Golden Age of Dutch Art is a celebration of one of the greatest moments in history: the emergence of the Dutch Republic as an independent world power driven by capitalism, exploration, religious tolerance, and citizen government not unlike our own American story. After years of unrest, several provinces of the Netherlands, or Low Countries, broke free from the Spanish empire and set out to become one of the most successful players on the international stage. In the 17th century, the Dutch boasted the highest wealth per capita of all Europe. Amsterdam grew to be a center of not only trade, but also learning, publishing and art. It was said you could buy anything there, and the city was home to people from the world over.
Art and beautiful things played a major part in Dutch life. The homes of the wealthy merchants were filled with contemporary paintings, ranging from portraits to religious paintings, still-life, landscapes and scenes from everyday life. This exhibition features the finest of each of these genres, with masterwork paintings by Jan Steen, Franz Hals, Jacob van Ruisdael, Meindert Hobbema, Rachel Ruysch, Jan van Goyen, Govert Flinck, Willem Claesz Heda, and 14 works by Rembrandt van Rijn. Joining these paintings are outstanding objects of the decorative arts-from silver salt cellars to engraved crystal glasses, golden toasting cups to blue and white glazed pottery.
Unlike some exhibitions that focus on one artist, this show brings together a more complete picture of Dutch art and life by examining themes that define the culture. One section looks at portraiture and society, while others explore landscape and city life. The exhibition audioguide-with adult and children's stops in both English and Spanish-highlights over 20 exceptional works of art in great detail, with commentary by several renowned authorities, including Arthur Wheelock from the National Gallery of Art in Washington and the author of the exhibition catalog, Ruud Priem from the University of Utrecht.
This exhibition is organized by the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. It is presented by JPMorgan Chase, with major support provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, SRP, The Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation, The Virginia G. Piper Exhibition Endowment, the J.W. Kieckhefer Foundation, the Margaret T. Morris Foundation, The Virginia M. Ullman Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts' Arts Indemnity Program. Promotional support has been provided by The Arizona Republic, azcentral.com, News Radio 620 KTAR, KJZZ/KBAQ Public Radio Phoenix, Jewish News of Greater Phoenix and Latino Perspectives Magazine.
Left: Self-portrait as the Apostle Paul, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1661. Oil on canvas, 35 ¾ x 30 ¼ inches. Collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Center: The vegetable market, Hendrick Martensz Sorgh, c. 1662. Oil on panel, 20 x 28 inches. Collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Right: Man smoking a pipe (formerly 'Self-portrait'), Gerard Dou, c. 1650. Oil on panel. Collection for the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.