Comment du Jour

Dutch Treat at the Frick

A hauntingly beautiful and important series of Rembrandt drawings are presently on exhibit at New York’s Frick Collection. While many people usually think of Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) as the master artist whose oil paintings grace the world’s preeminent galleries, collections, and museums, the Dutch artist was equally admired for his drawings.

Sixty-five works on paper, among them Rembrandt’s drawings and etchings are on exhibit. The works are masterpieces of unparallel precision and form and relate the life and personalities of 17th century Holland. Equally the works of the Rembrandt School, artists such as Samuel van Hoogstraten and Nicolaes Maes, are among the sketches.

Among the most interesting drawings are self portraits of the Master, sketches which gaze at the viewer from the era of Holland’s Golden Age, 350 years ago, and into the present.

Naturally the Frick is known for its wonderful Rembrandt oil paintings—extraordinary pieces collected by American industrialist and philanthropist Henry Clay Frick a century ago. The famed Self-Portrait of 1658, (purchased in 1907 for $225,000), remains among one of the most famous pictures of the Master Rembrandt.

The exhibit Rembrandt and His School is on exhibit at the Frick (1 East 70th Street, New York),until 15 May. The exhibit is supported, among others, by the Netherlands Foundation.