Rembrandt and Vincent van Gogh are great Dutch artists

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The Netherlands is a unique country that has given the world more than a dozen outstanding artists. Famous designers, artists and simply talented performers - this is a small list that this small state can flaunt.

The heyday of Dutch art

The era of prosperity of the art of realism did not last long in Holland. This period covers the entire 17th century, but the scale of its significance greatly exceeds the given chronological framework. Dutch artists of that time became a role model for the next generation of painters. So that these words do not sound unfounded, it is worth mentioning the names of Rembrandt and Hals, Potter and Ruisdael, who forever strengthened the status of unsurpassed masters of realistic images.

A very significant representative of the Dutch painting was Jan Vermeer. He is considered to be the most mysterious character in the heyday of Dutch painting, since, being famous during his lifetime, he lost interest in his person in less than half a century. Little is known about Vermeer's biographical information, mainly art historians have studiedhistory about him by studying his works, however, there were difficulties here too - the artist practically did not date his canvases. The most valuable from an aesthetic point of view are considered to be the works of Jan "Servant with a jug of milk" and "Girl with a letter".

No less famous and respectable artists were Hans Memling, Hieronymus Bosch, the brilliant Jan van Eyck. All creators are distinguished by their appeal to the everyday genre of painting, which is reflected in still lifes, landscapes and portraits.

Dutch painting left its mark on the subsequent development of French art in the second half of the 17th century and became a model for realistic landscapes created in the Renaissance. Russian realist artists did not deprive the Dutch of attention either. We can safely say that the art of the Netherlands has become progressive and revealing and has managed to be reflected in the canvas of every outstanding artist who painted natural studies.

Rembrandt and his legacy

The artist's full name is Rembrandt van Rijn. He was born in the memorable year 1606 in a fairly prosperous family at that time. As the fourth child, he still received a good education. The father wanted his son to graduate from the university and become an outstanding figure, but his expectations were not met due to the boy's poor academic performance, and so that all efforts were not in vain, he was forced to give in to the guy and agree with his desire to become an artist.

Dutch artists Jacob van Swanenbürch and Peter Lastman became Rembrandt's teachers. The firsthad rather mediocre skills in painting, but managed to gain respect for his personality, as he spent a long time in Italy, communicating and working with local artists. Rembrandt did not stay close to Jacob for long and went in search of another teacher in Amsterdam. There he entered the teachings of Peter Lastman, who became a real mentor for him. It was he who taught the young man engraving art to the extent that her contemporaries can observe.

As evidenced by the works of the master, made in huge quantities, Rembrandt became a fully formed artist by 1628. Any objects formed the basis of his sketches, and human faces were no exception. When discussing portraits by Dutch artists, one cannot but mention the name of Rembrandt, who from his young years became famous for his remarkable talent in this field. He painted many self-portraits, portraits of his father and mother, which are now kept in galleries.

Rembrandt quickly gained popularity in Amsterdam, but did not stop improving. In the 30s of the XVII century, his famous masterpieces "Anatomy Lesson", "Portrait of Koppenol" were created.

An interesting fact is that at that time Rembrandt marries the beautiful Saxia, and a fertile time of abundance and glory begins in his life. Young Saxia became the artist's muse and was embodied in more than one painting, however, as art historians testify, her features are repeatedly found in other portraits of the master.

The artist died in poverty, without losing what he acquired during his lifetimefame. His masterpieces are concentrated in all major galleries in the world. He can rightfully be called a master, whose works are a synthesis of all medieval realistic painting. Technically, his work cannot be called ideal, since he did not pursue the correct construction of the drawing. The most important artistic aspect that distinguished him among the representatives of the schools of painting was his unsurpassed play of chiaroscuro.

Vincent van Gogh is a genius nugget

Hearing the phrase "great Dutch artists", many people immediately draw in their heads the image of Vincent van Gogh, his undeniably beautiful and juicy paintings, which were appreciated only after the death of the artist.

This person can be called a unique and brilliant personality. As the son of a pastor, Van Gogh, like his brother, followed in his father's footsteps. Vincent studied theology and was even a preacher in the Belgian town of Borinage. On his account, he also worked as a commission agent and various relocations. However, the service in the parish and close contact with the harsh everyday life of the miners revived in the young genius an inner sense of injustice. Every day, contemplating the fields and the life of working people, Vincent was so inspired that he began to draw.

Dutch artists are primarily known for their portraits and landscapes. Vincent van Gogh was no exception. By his thirtieth birthday, he gives up everything and begins to actively engage in painting. During this period, the creation of his famous works “Potato Eaters”, “Peasant Woman” falls. All his works are imbued with a frenzied sympathy for ordinary people who feedacross the country, yet barely able to feed their own families.

Later, Vincent heads to Paris, and the focus of his work changes somewhat. There are intense images and new themes for empathy. A semi-destitute lifestyle and marriage to a prostitute were reflected in his art, which is clearly visible in the paintings “Night Cafe”, “Prisoners' Walk”.

Friendship with Gauguin

Beginning in 1886, van Gogh became interested in the study of Impressionist plein air painting and showed an interest in Japanese prints. From that moment on, the characteristic features of Gauguin and Toulouse-Lautrec can be seen in the artist's works. First of all, this can be seen in the change in the transfer of color mood. In the works, smears of rich yellow color begin to predominate, as well as blue “sparkle”. The first sketches in the characteristic colors were: "Bridge over the Seine" and "Portrait of Papa Tanguy." The latter dazzles with its brightness and bold strokes.

The friendship between Gauguin and Van Gogh was of a correlational nature: they mutually influenced each other's work, although they used different expressive tools, actively exchanged gifts in the form of their own paintings and argued tirelessly. The difference between the characters, the uncertain position of Vincent, who believed that his picturesque manners were "rurally bestial", gave rise to controversy. In a way, Gauguin was a more down-to-earth personality than V en Gogh. The passions in their relationship were so heated that one day they quarreled in their favorite cafe and Vincent threw a glass ofabsinthe. The quarrel did not end there, and the next day there was a long series of accusations against Gauguin, who, according to Van Gogh, was guilty of all mortal sins. It was at the end of this story that the Dutchman was so furious and depressed that he cut off part of his ear, which he kindly presented as a gift to a prostitute.

Dutch artists, regardless of the era of their life, have repeatedly proved to society their unsurpassed manner of transferring moments of life onto canvas. However, perhaps no one in the world has ever been able to be awarded the title of genius, without having the slightest idea about the technique of drawing, building a composition and ways of artistic transmission. Vincent van Gogh is a unique nugget who managed to achieve worldwide recognition thanks to his perseverance, purity of spirit and exorbitant thirst for life.