Rembrandt. A genius and his impact - Tapa dura

In recent decades, a major change has taken place in the appraisal of Rembrandt and his work and impact. Modern scholars have rejected scores of paintings which were previously regarded as masterpieces by the genius Rembrandt and which dazzled the world for centuries. Many of these pictures are now said to be studio pieces or the work of obscure or anonymous pupils, while paintings that were once admired as vivid depictions of daily life have been interpreted as biblical scenes. This book presents the first critical review of recent conclusions about Rembrandt's uvre, many of which have proved unfounded. It also reveals that his work has always inspired legends and myths as well as convoluted interpretations. One of the aims of the book is to extract the kernels of truth from both the old and the new mythologies. Rembrandt's art can only be fully understood when viewed in the context of his impact. For this reason Rembrandt - A Genius and His Impact includes small monographs on the master's most gifted pupils and followers, represented here by the best works they produced. Separate chapters are devoted to drawings and etchings, which form an integral part of Rembrandt's uvre. The book examines the latest research techniques and the most recent insights and discoveries in this field.

Albert Blankert is curator of the exhibition, and has published widely on seventeenth-century Dutch art.