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The Night Watch: “The Balance Between Chaos and Unity”

by Vanderleun on October 9, 2018

Why This Is Rembrandt’s Masterpiece

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Casey Klahn October 9, 2018, 3:55 PM

Nerdwriter may be a layman at art criticism, but he does get off some very good art videos. Rembrandt’s massive painting has lines, darks and lights, and movement. It exceeds the physical content of the painting, and unvarnishes the character of the Amsterdammer irregulars. Old Remmy wasn’t great because he could render and paint – he was great because he continued to innovate and loosen up. So much so, his career goes south on greased arquebus shot! He dies a debtor and is vilified by the city he revealed, and who at first loved him to fame.

That’s why I love Rembrandt. I love that he stuck a finger in their eye.

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Kerry October 9, 2018, 4:03 PM

Thanks for posting this vid. A little story: years ago, when I worked in midtown Manhattan, on the occasional Friday evening immediately after escaping the office, I’d take the train uptown and walk over to the Metropolitan. My too-big-to-fail bank employer was a corporate sponsor for the museum, so employees could get in for free (or make a donation if they felt like it). Anyway, most of the time my whole point in going to the museum was to visit the rooms where a few Rembrandt’s were/are displayed. I do not claim to be anything but ignorant about the vast world of Western art, but I know what I like, and few things I know brought me the kind of joy and solace I took in sitting quietly for a while, staring at those too real portraits, almost believing that, at any moment, they would talk to me in Dutch. He and his contemporaries were brilliant. His paintings make me glad to be alive. Thanks, again.

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Casey Klahn October 9, 2018, 8:48 PM

Hi, Kerry!

I’ll be at The Met on Friday. I’ll say hello to a Rembrandt for ya!

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Dr. Jay October 10, 2018, 8:55 AM

Rembrandt’s “Night Watch” . . . ? What? Has this guy never seen Game of Thrones? Please. Give me a break! Also, I hate listening to nonbinary proletariats parroting Mrs. Hooper, my sophomore art appreciation teacher, when describing any, yes Any!, piece of art. Still, it is a pretty picture.

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Kerry October 10, 2018, 6:26 PM

Thanks, Casey! If ANY of those portraits do, in fact, start a conversation with you, don’t tell me when you return. I’ll be so jealous! Har!

Have a wonderful time.

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