,,ma/]pieces ,,9 ,,col\r  ,,edit$ ,,by  
,t4 ,,leman ,,h>e  ,9 ! ,same ,s]ies    
,arti/4               ,au?or4           
,,velazquez4            ,s4 ,l4         
,b5susan4 ,,reynolds4             ,s4   
,l4 ,b5susan4 ,,turn]4               ,c4
 ,lewis ,h9d4 ,,romney4                 
,c4 ,lewis ,h9d4 ,,greuze4              
,alys ,eyke ,mackl94 ,,botticelli4      
,h5ry ,b4 ,b9ns4 ,,rossetti4            
,luci5 ,piss>ro4 ,,bell9i4              
,george ,hay4 ,,fra ,,angelico4         
,james ,mason4 ,,leighton4              
,a4 ,lys ,baldry4 ,,rembr&t4            
,josef ,israels4 ,,watts4               
,w4 ,l(tus ,h>e4 ,,titian4              
,s4 ,l4 ,b5susan4 ,,raphael4            
,paul ,g4 ,konody4  ,o!rs 9 ,prep>ation4
     ,illu/ration3 ,,plate              
#a4--,,suzanna ,,van ,,coll5  ,?is      
portrait1 pa9t$ ab\t #afcc1 & "o ( !    
gems ( ! ,wallace ,collection1 pres5ts  
,susanna van ,coll51 wife ( ,jan        
,pellicorne1 & h] daught]4    ,,rembr&t 
,,by ,,josef ,,israels  ,,illu/rat$ ,,) 

,,eight ,,reproductions ,,9 ,,col\r     
,,london3 ,t4 ,c4  ,e4 ,c4 ,,jack ,,new 
,,york3 ,,fr$]ick ,a4 ,,/okes ,,co4  ,! 
plates are pr9t$ by ,bemrose ,dalziel1  
,ltd41 ,wat=d  ,! text at ! ,ballantyne 
,press1 ,ed9burgh     ,,li/ ,,(         
,,illu/rations   ,plate ,i4 ,suzanna    
,van ,coll5                             
,frontispiece     ,f ! ,wallace         
,collection                             
,page ,,ii4 ,a ,portrait ( ,saskia      
#ad     ,9 ! ,br]a1 ,milan  ,,iii4      
,syndics ( ! ,clo? ,m]*ants' ,guild     
#bd     ,9 ! ,royal ,museum at ,am/]dam 
,,iv4 ,portrait ( an ,old ,man          
#cd     ,9 ! ,pitti ,palace at ,flor5ce 
,v4 ,! ,company ( ,francis ,bann+ ,cocq 
#dj     ,9 ! ,royal ,museum at ,am/]dam 
,,vi4 ,portrait ( a ,"y ,man            
#ej     ,9 ! ,pitti ,palace at ,flor5ce 
,,vii4 ,portrait ( an ,old ,lady        
#fj     ,f ! ,national ,gall]y1 ,london 
,,viii4 ,head ( a ,"y ,man              
#gj     ,9 ! ,l\vre     ,,introduction  
,:ile ! _w pays respectful tribute to   

,rembr&t ! arti/1 x has be5 compell$ to 
wait until comp>atively rec5t ye>s = "s 
small measure ( reliable in=mation      
conc]n+ ,rembr&t ! man4 ,! sixte5? &    
sev5te5? c5turies seem to h be5 v little
 conc]n$ ) p]sonalities4 ,a man 0 judg$ 
by 8 "w :i* appeal$1 if x 7 good en\gh1 
to an ev]-increas+ circle4 ,!re 7 no    
newspap]s to record 8 do+s &1 if he     
*anc$ to be an arti/1 x 0 nobody's      
bus9ess to set d[n ! details ( 8 life4  
,sometimes a di>i/ *anc$ to pass by & to
 jot d[n a little gossip1 q unconsci\s (
 ! fact t x w\ld s]ve to /imulate       
g5]ations yet unborn1 b1 = ! mo/ "p1    
arti/s :o did great "w 9 a retir+ fa%ion
 & 7 n hon\r$ by c\rts & pr9ces z ,rub5s
 01 pass$ f ! sc5e ( _! lab\rs ) all !  
details ( _! soj\rn unrecord$4  ,rembr&t
 0 fat$ to suff] m ?an m]e neglect1 = he
 seems to h be5 a light-he>t$1          
head/rong1 extravagant man1 ) no        
capacity = bus9ess4 ,he _h n ev5 !      
supreme quality1 associat$ 9 dogg]el )  
,dut*m51 ( giv+ too little & ask+ too   

mu*4 ,consequ5tly1 :5 he di$ poor &     
enfeebl$1 9 ye>s :5 8 collection ( works
 ( f9e art _h be5 sold at public auction
 = a fraction ( its value1 :5 8 pictures
 _h be5 seiz$ = debt1 & wife1 mi/ress1  
*ildr51 & _m fri5ds _h pass$1 little 0  
said ab\t him4 ,x 0 only :5 ! sup]lative
 quality ( 8 art 0 recognis$ beyond a   
small circle ( admir]s t p began to ga!r
 up su* fragm5ts ( biography z !y c\ld  
f9d4  ,%akespe>e has put into ,m>k      
,antony's m\? ! /atem5t t ! evil t m5 d 
lives aft] !m1 & ?is 0 v mu* ! case )   
,rembr&t van ,ryn4 ,8 fir/ biograph]s   
seem to h no memory save = 8 und\bt$    
recklessness1 8 extravagance1 & 8 debts4
 ,!y rememb]$ t 8 pictures fet*$ v good 
prices1 t 8 /udio 0 besieg$ = "s ye>s by
 m sitt]s ?an x c\ld accommodate1 t he 0
 hon\r$ ) commissions f ! rul+ h\se1 & t
 9 %ort1 he _h e *ance t w\ld h l$ a    
good bus9ess man to prosp]ity & an old  
age remov$ f /ress & /ra94 ,^! facts    
seem to h ar\s$ _! ire4 ,!y h assail$ 8 
memory ) invective t does n /op %ort at 

false /atem5t4 ,!y h f\nd 9 ! greate/ ( 
all ,dut* arti/s a ne'er-d-well :o c\ld 
n take advantage ( 8 opportunities1 :o  
_h ! extravagance ( a company promot]1  
an explosive temp] & all ! in/9cts t    
make = loose liv+4  ,illu/ration3       
,,plate ,,ii4--,a ,,portrait ,,(        
,,saskia  ,rembr&t's portraits ( 8 wife 
,saskia are di/ribut$ fairly equally    
?r\gh\t ! _w's great gall]ies1 b ?is "o 
f ! ,br]a 9 ,milan is n s well kn[n z   
mo/1 & on ?is acc\nt x is reproduc$ "h4 
,x is call$ ,portrait ( a ,woman 9 !    
catalogue1 b ! features ju/ify ! belief 
t ! lady 0 ! pa9t]'s wife4  ,alas = ^!  
poor biograph]s1 :o1 _h !y b tak5 !     
tr\ble to tru/ to ! pictures r ?an to ! 
lies t 7 curr5t1 w\ld h se5 t ! arti/'s 
life c\ld n h be5 ne>ly z bad z !y      
imag9$4 ,happily1 to-day1 we h m ?an !  
te/imony ( ! pa9t$ canvas1 ?\gh t w\ld  
suffice ! mo/ ( intellig5t m54 ,fur!r   
inve/igation has done a great deal to   
remove ! blemi%es f ,rembr&t's "n2 ,,mm4
 ,vosma] & ,mi*el h re/or$ x z ?\gh x 7 

a discol\r$ picture1 & ^? :o hail       
,rembr&t ma/] may d s )\t m5tal         
res]vation4 ,8 faults 7 v human ones & 8
 m]its leave !m 9 ! %ade4  ,rembr&t 0   
born 9 ! pleasant city ( ,leyd51 b x is 
n easy to "n ! precise ye>4 ,some:]e    
betwe5 #afjd & #afjg he />t$ 8 tr\bl$   
j\rney ?r\gh life1 & ( 8 *ildhood !     
records are scanty4 ,d\btless1 8 y\?ful 
imag9ation 0 /irr$ by ! sights ( ! city1
 ! b>ges mov+ sl[ly along ! canals1 !   
w9dmills t 7 nev] at re/1 ! *ang+       
*i>oscuro ( ! flood$1 dyke-seam$ l&4    
,p]haps he saw ^! ?+s ) ! l>ge eye ( !  
arti/1 = he c\ld n h turn$ to any po9t (
 ! compass )\t f9d+ a picture ly+ ready 
= treatm5t4 ,ev5 :5 he 0 a little boy ! 
fasc9ation ( 8 surr\nd+s may h be5      
responsible 9 "p = ! fact t he 0 n an   
indu/ri\s s*ol>1 t he look$ ^u read+ &  
writ+ z r tr\blesome accompli%m5ts1 wor?
 less ?an ! lab\r involv$ 9 _!          
acquisition4 ,& yet 8 fa!r 0 a weal?y   
man1 he w\ld seem to h _h no occasion to
 neglect 8 /udies1 & ! be/ "o c f9d to  

say ab\t ^! e>ly ye>s is t !y may h be5 
direct$ badly by ^? 9 au?ority4 ,9 any  
case1 x is well-nigh impossible to make 
rules = g5ius4 ,! boy :o sits unmov$ at 
! bottom ( 8 class1 ! butt ( 8          
companions1 ! horrible example to :om ! 
ma/] turns :5 he wi%es to po9t a moral1 
may d "w 9 ! _w t no "o among ^? :o     
att5d$ ! s*ool s9ce its f\ndation has   
be5 able to accompli% &1 if ,rembr&t did
 n satisfy 8 ma/]s1 he 0 at lea/ pav+ ! 
way = accompli%m5t t is recognis$       
gratefully to-day :]ev] art has f\nd a  
home4  ,8 family soon knew t he _h !    
mak+s ( an arti/ &1 9 #afbj1 :5 he c\ld 
h>dly h be5 m ?an sixte51 & may h be5   
consid]ably less1 he left ,leyd5        
,univ]sity = ! /udio ( a second-rate    
pa9t] call$ ,jan van ,swan5bur*4 ,we h  
no au!ntic record ( 8 progress 9 !      
/udio1 b x mu/ h be5 rapid4 ,he mu/ h   
made fri5ds1 pa9t$ pictures1 & attract$ 
att5tion4 ,at ! end ( ?ree ye>s he w5t  
to ,la/man's /udio 9 ,am/]dam1 return+  
!nce to ,leyd51 :]e he took ,g]>d ,d\ z 

a pupil4 ,a few ye>s lat]1 x is n easy  
to settle ^! dates on a satisfactory    
basis1 he w5t to ,am/]dam1 & e/abli%$   
himself !re1 because ! ,dut* capital 0 v
 weal?y & held _m patrons ( ! arts1 9   
spite ( ! seem+ly endless w> t ,holl& 0 
wag+ ) ,spa94  ,! picture ( ,/4 ,paul 9 
,prison w\ld seem to h be5 produc$ ab\t 
#afbg1 b ! pa9t]'s appe>ance be=e !     
public ( ,am/]dam 9 ! guise ( an        
accompli%$ arti/ ^: "w _h to be reckon$ 
)1 may be said to h dat$ f ! completion 
( ! fam\s ,anatomy ,lesson1 9 #afca or  
#afcb4 ,at ?is "t he 0 liv+ on !        
,bloemgra*t4 ,rembr&t _h pa9t$ _m       
portraits :5 ! picture ( ! m$ical m5 & !
 cadav] creat$ a great s5sation &1 if we
 rememb] t he c\ld n h be5 m ?an        
tw5ty-sev5 ye>s old1 & may h be5 no m   
?an tw5ty-five1 x is n difficult to     
und]/& t ,am/]dam 0 /irr$ f its usual   
res]ve1 & greet$ ! ris+ /> ) en?usiasm4 
,9 a few weeks ! entrance to ! pa9t]'s  
/udio 0 besieg$ by p wi%+ to sit = _!   
portraits1 by pupils :o br\ght #ajj     

flor9s1 no small sum 9 ^? days = !      
privilege ( work+ = a ye> 9 ! ma/]'s    
/udio4 ,x may be m5tion$ "h t ev5 9 !   
days :5 ! pa9t]'s popul>ity ) ! g5]al   
public ( ,holl& _h wan$1 !re 0 nev] any 
lack ( en?usia/ic /ud5ts f _m c\ntries1 
all clam\r+ = admission to ! /udio4  ,_m
 a man c endure adv]sity ) c\rage2      
success is a great] trial4 ,bad times   
(t5 avail to br+ out :at is be/ 9       
creative g5ius2 success t5ds to de/roy  
x4 ,rembr&t did n rema9 unaffect$ by !  
quick response t ,am/]dam made to 8     
g5ius4 ,8 art rema9$ true & s9c]e1 he   
decl9$ to make ! smalle/ concession to  
:at silly sitt]s call$ _! ta/e1 b he did
 n really "k :at to d ) ! money &       
commissions t fl[$ 9 ^u him s freely4 ,!
 be/ use he made ( *ang+ circum/ances 0 
to become engag$ to ,saskia van         
,uyl5bor*1 ! c\s9 ( 8 great fri5d       
,h5drick van ,uyl5bor*1 ! art deal] (   
,am/]dam4 ,saskia1 :o 0 de/9$ to live = 
c5turies1 ?r\gh ! g5ius ( h] husb&1     
seems to h be5 born 9 #afab1 & to h     

become engag$ to ,rembr&t :5 %e 0 tw5ty4
 ,! engagem5t foll[$ v closely ^u !     
patronage ( ,rembr&t by ,pr9ce ,fr$]ic  
,h5ry1 ! ,/ad?old]1 :o in/ruct$ ! arti/ 
to pa9t ?ree pictures4 ,!re seem$ no    
long] any ne$ to hesitate1 & only       
dome/ic tr\bles seem to h delay$ !      
m>riage until #afcd4 ,saskia is en%r9$ 9
 _m pictures4 ,%e is se5 fir/ z a "y    
girl1 !n z a woman4 ,z a bride1 9 !     
picture n[ at ,dresd51 %e sits ^u h]    
husb&'s knee1 :ile he raises a big glass
 ) 8 out/ret*$ arm4 ,h] expression "h is
 r %y1 z if %e deprecat$ ! situation &  
realis$ t x might be miscon/ru$4 ,?is   
picture gave (f5ce to ,rembr&t's        
critics1 :o decl>$ t x reveal$ ! pa9t]'s
 ta/e = /rong dr9k & riot\s liv+--!y    
c\ld see no?+ m 9 canvas ?an a /ory4    
,sev]al portraits ( ,saskia rema9$ to be
 pa9t$4 ,%e w\ld seem to h ag$ rapidly1 
= aft] m>riage h] days 7 n long 9 ! l&4 
,%e 0 only ?irty :5 %e di$1 & look$     
consid]ably old]4  ,illu/ration3 ,,plate
 ,,iii4--,,syndics ,,( ,,! ,,clo?       

,,m]*ants' ,,guild  ,?is f9e "w1 ( :i* s
 mu* has be5 writt51 is to be se5 to-day
 9 ! ,royal ,museum at ,am/]dam4 ,x is  
"o ( ! f9e/ examples ( ! ma/]'s portrait
 gr\ps1 & 0 pa9t$ 9 #affa4  ,9 ! fir/   
ye>s ( 8 m>ri$ life ,rembr&t mov$ to !  
,nieuwe ,doel/raat4 ,= ! "t he _h m     
commissions ?an he knew h[ to execute1  
few tr\bles save ^? t 8 fi]y temp]am5t  
provok$1 & "o great sorr[1 aris+ out ( !
 dea? ( 8 fir/-born4 ,!re c be no d\bt  
at all t he sp5t f> too mu* money 9 ^!  
ye>s2 he w\ld att5d ! sales ( works (   
art & pay extravagant sums = any t took 
8 fancy4 ,if he ev] paus$ to "q himself1
 he w\ld be cont5t to expla9 t he paid  
big prices 9 ord] to %[ h[ great 0 8    
respect = art & arti/s4 ,he came to     
acquire a picture by ,rub5s1 a book (   
draw+s by ,lucas van ,leyd51 & ! spl5did
 pe>ls t may be se5 9 ! lat] portraits (
 ,saskia4 ,v soon 8 ra% & reckless      
me?ods became kn[n to ! deal]s1 :o w\ld 
pu% ! prices up ) ! c]ta9 k t ,rembr&t  
w\ld ru% 9 :]e wis] buy]s fe>$ to tread4

 ,! mak+ ( an art collection1 ! pur*ase 
( ri* jewels = 8 wife1 toge!r ) good &  
op5-h&$ liv+1 soon began to play havoc )
 ,rembr&t's e/ate4 ,! arti/'s temp]am5t 
(f5d$ _m ( ! sob] ,dut*m5 :o c\ld n     
und]/& x at all1 8 indep5d5ce & insi/5ce
 ^u ! f9ality ( 8 own judgm5t 7 m       
(f5sive /ill1 & aft] #afcf !re 7 few]   
applications = portraits4  ,9 #afch we  
f9d ,rembr&t tak+ an action aga9/ "o    
,alb]t van ,loo1 :o _h d>$ to call      
,saskia extravagant4 ,x 01 ( c\rse1 /ill
 m extravagant ( ,rembr&t to wa/e 8     
money on lawy]s on acc\nt ( a case he   
c\ld n hope to w91 b ?is ?\ght does n   
seem to h tr\bl$ him4 ,he did n reflect 
t x w\ld set ! gossips talk+ m cruelly  
?an ev]4 ,/ill full ( en?usiasm = life &
 art1 he 0 equally full ( affection =   
,saskia1 ^: hope ( rais+ *ildr5 seem$   
doom$ to disappo9tm5t1 = 9 addition to  
los+ ! little ,romb]tus1 two daught]s1  
ea* nam$ ,cornelia1 _h di$ soon aft]    
bir?4 ,9 #afdj ,rembr&t's "m di$4 ,h]   
picture rema9s on record ) t ( h] husb&1

 pa9t$ t5 ye>s be=e1 & ev5 ! biograph]s 
( ! arti/ d n sugge/ t ,rembr&t 0 any?+ 
b a good son4 ,a ye> lat] ! well-belov$ 
,saskia gave bir? to ! "o *ild :o       
surviv$ ! e>ly ye>s1 ! boy ,titus4 ,!n  
h] heal? fail$1 & 9 #afdb %e di$1 aft]  
eight ye>s ( m>ri$ life t w\ld seem to h
 be5 happy4 ,9 ?is ye> ,rembr&t pa9t$ ! 
fam\s ,night ,wat*1 a picture repres5t+ 
! company ( ,francis ,bann+ ,cocq1 &    
incid5tally a day sc5e 9 spite ( its    
popul> "n4 ,! "w succe$$ 9 ar\s+ a /orm 
( indignation1 = e sitt] want$ to h     
equal prom95ce 9 ! canvas4 ,!y _h       
subscrib$ equally to ! co/1 & ,rembr&t  
_h d>$ to compose ! picture6  ,x may be 
said t aft] 8 wife's dea?1 & !          
exhibition ( ?is f9e "w1 ,rembr&t's     
pleasant ye>s came to an end4 ,he 0 !n  
some:]e betwe5 ?irty-six & ?irty-eight  
ye>s old1 he _h made 8 m>k1 & enjoy$ a v
 l>ge measure ( recognition1 b h5ce=w>d1
 8 c>e] 0 de/9$ to be a v tr\bl$ "o1    
full ( disappo9tm5t1 pa91 & c>e4 ,p]haps
 x w\ld h be5 no bad ?+ = him if he c\ld

 h gone ) ,saskia into ! out] d>kness4  
,! _w w\ld h be5 poor]1 b ! man himself 
w\ld h be5 sp>$ _m ye>s t p]haps ev5 !  
devot$ lab\rs ( 8 /udio c\ld n r$eem4   
,saskia's e/ate1 :i* seems to h be5 a   
consid]able "o1 0 left to ,rembr&t      
absolutely1 9 tru/ = ! sole surviv+ *ild
 ,titus1 b ,rembr&t1 aft] 8 usual free &
 easy fa%ion1 did n tr\ble ab\t ! legal 
side ( ! "q4 ,he did n ev5 make an      
inv5tory ( ! prop]ty belong+ to 8 wife1 
& ?is c>elessness l$ to endless tr\ble 9
 future ye>s1 & to ! di/ribution ( a    
great "p ( ! prop]ty into ! h&s (       
g5tlem5 le>n$ 9 ! law4 ,p]haps ! pa9t]  
_h o!r matt]s to ?9k ab\t1 he c\ld no   
long] disguise f himself ! fact t public
 patronage 0 fall+ (f4 ,x may be t ! w> 
) ,spa9 0 beg9n+ to make p 9 com=table  
circum/ances retr5*1 b x is m ?an likely
 t ! arti/'s "n 0 n kn[n fav\rably to 8 
fell[-citiz5s4 ,8 passionate temp]am5t &
 8 quick eye = truly arti/ic effects    
c\ld n be tol]at$ by ! sob]1 /odgy m5 & 
wom5 :o 7 ! rank & file ( ,am/]dam's    

com=table classes4 ,to be sure1 !       
,/ad?old] cont9u$ 8 patronage2 he ord]$ 
! fam\s ,circumcision & ! ,adoration ( !
 ,%eph]ds4 ,pupils cont9u$ to arrive1   
too1 9 l>ge numb]s1 _m ( !m com+ f      
beyond ,holl&2 b ! public /ay$ away4    
,rembr&t 0 n )\t fri5ds1 :o help$ him z 
f> z !y c\ld1 & advis$ him z mu* z !y   
d>$2 b he seems to h be5 a man :o c\ld n
 be assi/$1 because 9 matt]s ( art he   
all[$ no outside int]f]5ce1 & he 0      
naturally impulsive4 ,money ran ?r\gh 8 
h&s l wat] ?r\gh a sieve1 ?\gh x is only
 fair to po9t out t he 0 v g5]\s1 & c\ld
 n l5d a deaf e> to any tale ( di/ress4 
,betwe5 #afdb1 :5 ,saskia di$1 & #afdi1 
x is n easy to foll[ ! progress ( 8     
life2 we c only /ate ) c]ta9ty t 8      
difficulties increas$ almo/ z quickly z 
8 "w rip5$4 ,8 connection ) ,h5drickje  
,/(fels w\ld seem to h />t$ ab\t #afdi1 
& ?is woman ) :om he liv$ until h] dea? 
"s ?irte5 ye>s lat]1 has be5 abus$ by _m
 biograph]s because %e 0 ! pa9t]'s      
mi/ress4 ,"s h endeav\r$ to prove1 )\t  

any evid5ce1 t he m>ri$ h]1 b ?is       
concession to ,mrs4 ,grundy seems a     
little beside ! m>k4 ,! relations betwe5
 ! pair 7 a matt] = _! own consid]ation1
 & x is cle> t ,h5drickje came to !     
pa9t] 9 ! "t ( 8 greate/ tr\ble1 to s]ve
 him lov+ly & fai?fully until %e pass$  
away at ! comp>atively e>ly age (       
?irty-six4  ,%e bore him two *ildr51 :o 
seem to h di$ "y1 &1 curi\sly en\gh1 h] 
position 9 ! h\se 0 accept$ by "y ,titus
 ,rembr&t1 :o1 :5 he 0 ne>+ man's e/ate1
 />t$1 9 p>tn]%ip ) h]1 to deal 9       
pictures & works ( art--a n v successful
 attempt to support ! e/abli%m5t 9      
com=t4  ,9 ! ye> :5 ,h5drickje jo9$     
,rembr&t1 he c\ld no long] pay in/alm5ts
 on ! h\se he _h b\ght = himself 9 !    
,jod5 ,bree/raat4 ,ab\t ! foll[+ ye> he 
began to sell prop]ty1 hop+ aga9/ hope t
 he w\ld be able to tide ov] ! bad      
times4 ,?ree ye>s lat] he />t$ borr[+ on
 a v ext5sive scale4 ,9 #afef a fre%    
gu>dian 0 appo9t$ = ,titus1 to :om 8    
fa!r transf]r$ "s prop]ty1 & 9 t ye> !  

pa9t] 0 adjudg$ bankrupt4 ,! ye> #afeg  
saw mu* ( 8 private prop]ty sold1 b 8   
collection ( pictures & engrav+s f\nd   
comp>atively few bidd]s1 & realis$ no m 
?an #ejjj flor9s4 ,a ye> lat] 8 /ore (  
pictures came "u ! hamm]1 & 9 #affj1    
,h5drickje & ,titus />t$ _! plucky      
attempt to e/abli% a little bus9ess1 9  
ord] t !y might re/ore "s small "p ( !  
family =tune4  ,illu/ration3 ,,plate    
,,iv4--,,portrait ,,( ,,an ,,old ,,man  
,rembr&t pa9t$ v _m portraits ( m5 &    
wom5 ^: id5tity _c be trac$1 & x is     
probable t ! orig9al ( ?is /rik+        
portrait 9 ! ,pitti ,palace at ,flor5ce 
0 unkn[n to _m ( ! pa9t]'s              
contempor>ies4 ,?is is "o ( ,rembr&t's  
late works1 & is said to h be5 pa9t$    
ab\t #afeh4  ,= a little "t ! ke5 edge (
 tr\ble seems to h be5 turn$4 ,"o (     
,rembr&t's fri5ds secur$ him !          
commission to pa9t ! ,syndics ( !       
,drap]s' ,guild1 & ?is is "o ( ! la/    
works ( importance 9 ! arti/'s life1    
because 8 sight 0 beg9n+ to fail4 ,to   

und]/& :y ?is fre% tr\ble fell ^u him1 x
 is necess>y to turn = a mom5t to       
consid] ! m>vell\s et*+s he produc$     
betwe5 #afbh & #affa4 ,! draw+s may be  
disreg>d$ 9 ?is connection1 ?\gh !re are
 ab\t a ?\s& undisput$ ones 9 exi/5ce1 b
 ! mak+ ( ! et*+s1 ( :i* "s two hundr$  
are all[$ by all compet5t obs]v]s to be 
! "w ( ! ma/]1 mu/ h inflict$ enorm\s   
/ra9 ^u 8 sight4 ,:5 he 0 pass+ f middle
 age1 ov]:elm$ ) tr\ble ( e description1
 x is n surpris+ t 8 eyes %\ld h refus$ 
to s]ve him any long]4  ,"o might h     
?\ght t ! immortals _h f9i%$ _! sport ) 
,rembr&t1 b app>5tly _! res\rces are q  
inexhau/ible4 ,"o ye> aft] ! /ate ( 8   
eyes _h br\ght et*+ to an end1 ! fai?ful
 ,h5drickje di$4 ,a portrait ( h]1 "o ( 
! la/ ( ! ma/]'s works1 may be se5 9    
,b]l94 ,! face is a *>m+ & sympa!tic "o1
 & moves ! obs]v] to a feel+ ( sympa?y t
 makes ! m]e "q ( ! ,*ur*'s p>ticipation
 9 h] relations ) ,rembr&t a v small    
affair inde$4  ,9 ! next sev5 ye>s ! old
 pa9t] pass$ quietly d[n t[>ds ! great  

sil5ce4 ,a few ard5t admir]s among ! "y 
m51 a few old fri5ds :om no adv]sity    
c\ld %ake1 rema9$ to br+ su* com=t z !y 
might4 ,) fail+ sight & heal? he mov$ to
 ! ,lauri]gra*t1 & ! capacity = "w came 
ne>ly to an end4 ,! lawy]s made m]ry ) !
 v>i\s suits4 ,"s _h be5 in/itut$ to    
recov] money t ! pa9t] _h borr[$1 o!rs  
to settle ! vex$ "q ( ! cr$itors' "r to 
,saskia's e/ate4 ,9 #affe ,titus receiv$
 ! balance t 0 left1 :5 ! decision ( !  
c\rts all[$ him to h&le :at legal +5uity
 _h n be5 able to imp\nd4  ,9 ! summ] ( 
#affh1 :5 he 0 ab\t tw5ty-sev5 ye>s old1
 ,titus m>ri$ 8 c\s9 ,magdell5a1 & ?is  
little celebration may be suppos$ to h  
*e]$ ! eld] ,rembr&t a little1 b 8      
pleasure 0 brief1 = ! "y bridegroom di$ 
9 ,septemb] ( ! same ye>1 & 9 ! foll[+  
ye> a po/hum\s daught] 0 born4  ,by ?is 
"t ! immortals _h complet$ _! task1 !re 
0 no?+ left = !m to d2 !y _h brok5 ! old
 pa9t]'s heal? & 8 he>t1 !y _h r$uc$ him
 to pov]ty4 ,s !y gave him half a ye> to
 dige/ _! gifts1 & !n "s ^w ( pity seems

 to h ent]$ into _! c\ncils1 & "o ( !   
greate/ pa9t]s ! _w has se5 0 set free f
 ! intol]able burd5 ( life4 ,f c]ta9    
docum5ts /ill extant we le>n t he 0     
buri$ at ! exp5se ( ?irte5 flor9s4 ,he  
has left to ! _w "s five or six hundr$  
pictures t are admitt$ to be g5u9e1     
toge!r ) ! et*+s & draw+s to :i* ref]5ce
 has be5 made4 ,he is to be se5 9 _m    
gall]ies 9 ! ,old ,_w & ! ,new1 = he    
pa9t$ 8 own portrait m ?an a score (    
times4 ,saskia1 too1 may be se5 9 sev]al
 gall]ies & ,h5drickje has n be5 =gott54
  ,illu/ration3 ,,plate ,v4--,,!        
,,company ,,( ,,francis ,,bann+ ,,cocq  
,g5]ally kn[n z ! ,night ,wat*4 ,?is    
fam\s picture1 n[ to be se5 9 ! ,royal  
,museum at ,am/]dam1 is ! be/ discuss$ (
 all ! ma/]'s works4 ,x has be5 po9t$   
out t x is 9 reality a day sc5e al?\gh x
 is kn[n to mo/ p z ! ,night ,wat*4 ,!  
picture 0 pa9t$ 9 #afdb4  ,!re is no    
d\bt t _m ( ,rembr&t's tr\bles 7        
self-inflict$2 b 8 puni%m5t 0 l>gely 9  
excess ( 8 s9s4 ,8 pictures may be      

admir$ 9 ne>ly all great public         
collections2 !y are di/ribut$1 too1     
among private gall]ies4 ,rembr&t's art  
has f\nd a welcome 9 all c\ntries4 ,we  
"k n[ t "p ( 8 tempor>y unpopul>ity 9   
,holl& 0 due to ! fact t he 0 f> 9      
advance ( 8 own "t1 t ! conv5tions (    
less] m5 repell$ him1 & he 0 p]haps a   
little too vigor\s 9 ! expression ( 8   
op9ions4 ,n[1 9 ! ye>s :5 ! voice ( fame
 _c rea* him & 8 wor/ detractors are    
sil5t1 he is set on a p$e/al by ! side (
 ,velazquez & ,titian4     ,,rembr&t    
,,an ,,appreciation ,,( ,,! ,,pictures  
,,9 ,,am/]dam   ,w ! read] turn away ) a
 %rug ( ! %\ld]1 :5 he sees1 head+ ?is  
essay1 ! fam\s "n t we he> s (t58  ,i   
feel l "o sitt+ among fri5ds at a       
banquet1 & ?\gh _m ( ! gue/s h express$ 
& analys$ ! same feel+s 9 diff]5t toa/s1
 ,i w n be re/ra9$ f express+1 9 my     
turn1 my delight 9 ! fe/ive ga!r+4 ,i   
t\* my glass to ensure a he>+1 & ,i     
speak z my he>t prompts me4 ,x is n v   
important or int]e/+1 b ,i am speak+ 9  

praise ( him 9 ^: hon\r ! fea/ is giv54 
,9 ?is frame ( m9d ,i am contribut+ my  
little %>e to ! pile ( writt5 matt]1 :i*
 has be5 produc$ f all qu>t]s1 9 hon\r (
 ! great pa9t]4   ,i  ,_m ye>s ago ,i   
w5t to ,am/]dam z an art /ud5t1 to be   
tra9$ "u ! auspices ( ! !n fam\s        
portrait pa9t] ,kruseman4 ,v soon ,i 0  
admitt$ to ! ma/]'s /udio1 & beheld )   
admiration ! portraits ( ! di/+ui%$     
p]sonages he 0 pa9t+ at ! "t4  ,! p9k   
fle%-t9ts ( ! faces1 ! delicate treatm5t
 ( ! drap]ies & dresses1 m (t5 ?an n /&+
 out aga9/ a backgr\nd ( d>k r$ velvet1 
attract$ me imm5sely4  ,:51 h[ev]1 ,i   
express$ a desire to be all[$ to copy "s
 ( ^! portraits1 ! ma/] refus$ my       
reque/4 ,no1 he said2 if y want to copy1
 g to ! museum 9 ! ',tripp5huis4'#a  ,i 
d>$ n %[ ! bitt] disappo9tm5t ?is       
refusal caus$ me4 ,hav+ come fre% f !   
c\ntry1 ! old ma/]s 7 a seal$ book to   
me4 ,i fail$ to discov] any beauty 9 !  
homely1 old-fa%ion$ sc5es ( d>k l&scapes
 ov] :i* p w5t into ec/asies4 ,to my    

untra9$ eyes ! exhibition 9 ,arti#b     
seem$ inf9itely m beautiful2 & ,pi5eman1
 ,gallait1 ,calame1 & ,koekoek          
especially excit$ my admiration4  ,i 0 n
 really lack+ 9 arti/ic in/9ct any m ?an
 my fell[-/ud5ts1 b ,i _h n yet ga9$ !  
exp]i5ce & practice1 :i* are            
indisp5sable to ! true und]/&+ ( ! qua9t
 b highly arti/ic qualities ( ! old     
,dut* ma/]s4 ,i ma9ta9 t h[ev]          
intellig5t a man may be1 x is impossible
 to appreciate old ,dut* art to ! full1 
or ev5 to enjoy x1 unless "o has become 
?or\ghly famili> ) x1 & has tri$ to     
id5tify oneself ) x4 ,9 ord] to be able 
to s\nd ! real "* & dep? ( manife/ations
 ( art1 ! arti/ic s5sibility has to be  
tra9$ & develop$4  ,x 0 long be=e ,i    
c\ld summon up suffici5t c\rage to ent] 
?is ,holy ( ,holies arm$ ) my col\rs &  
bru%es4 ,inde$ ,i only />t$ on ?is      
v5ture aft] a long spell ( h>d "w1      
out-(-doors z well z 9 ! /udio1 & aft]  
hav+ made _m /udies f ! nude1 & _m m    
/ill-life /udies2 !n a light broke 9 ^u 

my d>kness4  ,i began to und]/& at la/ t
 ! true aim ( art does n consi/ 9 !     
smoo? & delicate pla/]+ ( ! col\rs4 ,i  
realis$ t my *ief /udy 0 to be ! exact  
value ( light & %ade1 ! relief ( !      
objects1 & ! attitude1 movem5ts1 &      
ge/ures ( ! figures4  ,hav+ le>n$ to    
look ^u art f ?is po9t ( view1 ,i ent]$ 
! old ,tripp5huis ) pleasure4 ,little by
 little ! beauty & tru? ( ^! admirable  
old ma/]s dawn$ ^u me4 ,i p]ceiv$ t _!  
simple subjects grew ri* & full ( mean+ 
?r\gh ! mann] 9 :i* !y 7 treat$4 ,!     
arti/s 7 g5iuses1 & ! _w ar\nd !m ei!r  
ignor$ ! fact1 or did n see x until too 
late4  ,kn[+ little ( art1 ,i *ose = my 
fir/ copy a small canvas1 a ,h]mit by   
,g]>d ,d\1 n und]/&+ t1 ?\gh small1 x   
might conta9 qualities :i* w\ld prove   
too difficult = me to imitate4 ,i _h to 
"w x ov] & ov] aga91 = ,i c\ld n get any
 %ape 9 ! ?ick1 /icky pa9t4 ,!n ,i tri$ 
a head by ,van d] ,hel/1 & succe$$ a    
little bett]4  ,illu/ration3 ,,plate    
,,vi4--,,portrait ,,( ,a ,,"y ,,man     

,?is portrait may be se5 to-day 9 !     
,pitti ,palace at ,flor5ce4 ,x is said  
to be "o ( ,rembr&t's portraits (       
himself1 pa9t$ ab\t #afce4  ,at la/ ,i  
/opp$ be=e "o ( ! heads 9 ! ,syndics ( !
 ,clo? ,m]*ants' ,guild4 ,! man 9 !     
left-h& corn]1 ) ! s(t grey hair "u !   
/eeple-hat1 _h arre/$ my fancy4 ,i felt 
t !re 0 some?+ 9 ! portrait's beauty ,i 
c\ld grasp & reproduce1 ?\gh ,i saw at  
once t ! te*nical treatm5t 0 entirely   
diff]5t f :at ,i _h attempt$ hi!rto4    
,h[ev]1 ! desire to reproduce ?is bread?
 ( execution tempt$ me s mu* t ,i       
resolv$ to try my h& at x4 ,i =get n[   
:at ! copy look$ l2 ,i only rememb] t = 
ye>s x hung on my /udio wall4  ,s ,i    
tri$ to grasp ! col\r s*eme1 & !        
te*nique ( ! diff]5t arti/s1 until !    
beauties ( ! s-call$ ,night ,patrol & ! 
,syndics took su* hold ( me t no?+      
attract$ me b :at _h come f ! h& ( !    
great ma/]1 ! unique ,rembr&t4 ,9 8 "w  
,i f\nd some?+ :i* all ! o!rs lack$4    
,fre$om & exub]ance 7 8 *ief            

attractions1 two qualities utt]ly b>r$ &
 =bidd5 9 ! draw+ class & 9 my tea*]'s  
/udio4  ,al?\gh ,frans ,hals impress$ me
 m ?an any o!r pa9t] ) ! p[] ) :i* he   
wield$ ! bru%1 ev5 he 0 put 9 ! %ade by 
,rembr&t's unsurpassable col\r effects4 
,:5 ,i _h look$ at ,rembr&t's pictures  
to my he>t's cont5t1 ,i us$ to g d[n to 
! gr\nd floor 9 ! ,tripp5huis to ! pr9t 
cab9et4 ,"h ,i f\nd 8 et*+s beautifully 
arrang$4 ,x 0 a pleasant room ov]look+ a
 g>d51 & 9 ! c5tre /ood a long table    
cov]$ ) a gre5 clo?1 on :i* "o c\ld put 
d[n ! portfolio & look at ! gems !y     
conta9$ at leisure4  ,i (t5 sat !re =   
h\rs1 buri$ 9 ! contemplation ( ^! two  
hundr$ & =ty ma/]pieces4 ,! cons]vator  
nev] ceas$ urg+ me to be c>eful :5 he   
saw me mix !m up too mu* 9 my ef=ts to  
comp>e !m4 ,h[ a/oni%$ ,i 0 to f9d 9 !  
pa9t] :o1 ) mighty h&1 _h modell$ 9 pa9t
 ! glori\s ,night ,patrol1 an accompli%$
 engrav]1 n only gift$ ) ! p[] & fre$om 
( a great pa9t]1 b ?or\ghly v]s$ 9 all !
 my/]ies ( ! use ( ! et*+ ne$le on !    

h>d1 smoo? copp]4  ,/ill x 0 n !        
extraord9>y skill :i* attract$ me mo/ 9 
^! et*+s4 ,x 0 r ! s+ul> inv5tive p[]   
%[n 9 ! diff]5t sc5es1 ! peculi> contra/
 betwe5 light & %ade1 & ! almo/ *ildlike
 mann] 9 :i* ! figures _h be5 treat$4 ,!
 arti/'s s\l n only spoke ?r\gh ! *oice 
( subject1 b x f\nd an expression 9 e   
s+le detail1 convey$ by ! delicate h&l+ 
( ! ne$le4  ,_m ,biblical subjects are  
repres5t$ 9 ! ,am/]dam collection2 !y   
are full ( arti/ic imag9ation & s5tim5t 
9 _! composition 9 spite ( _! seem+     
incongruity4 ,! conception is s highly  
orig9al1 & at ! same "t betrays su* a   
dep? ( und]/&+1 t o!r pr9ts1 h[ev]      
beautifully done1 look academic & /ilt$ 
beside !m4  ,among ^? et*+s 7 excell5t  
portraits1 wond]fully lifelike heads ( !
 pa9t]'s fri5ds & ( himself2 b :5 "o has
 look$ at ! little picture ( 8 "m1 he is
 compell$ to %ut ! portfolio = a mom5t1 
because ! unbidd5 te>s rise to ! eyes4  
,x is impossible to f9d any?+ m         
exquisite ?an ?is engrav+4 ,mo!rly      

k9dness1 sweetness1 & ?\ghtfulness are  
express$ 9 e curve1 9 ! slighte/ t\* ( !
 ne$le4 ,ea* l9e has a mean+2 n a s+le  
t\* c\ld h be5 left out )\t injury to ! 
:ole4  ,hokusai1 ! ,japanese arti/1 said
 t he hop$ to live to be v old t he     
might h "t to le>n to draw 9 su* a way t
 e /roke ( 8 p5cil w\ld be ! expression 
( "s liv+ ?+4 ,t is exactly :at ,rembr&t
 has atta9$ "h1 &1 9 ?is portrait1 he   
realis$ at ! age ( tw5ty-f\r ! ideal ( !
 old ,japanese2 x is "o ( 8 e>lie/      
et*+s4  ,i re-op5 ! portfolio to h a    
look at ! pictures ( ! wond]ful old     
,jewi% begg>s4 ,!y 7 types t 7 to be    
f\nd by ! score 9 ! ,am/]dam ( ^? days1 
& ,rembr&t delight$ to draw !m4 ,"o is  
almo/ incl9$ to say t !y _c be begg>s1  
because ! ma/]'s h& has end[$ !m ) !    
w>m? & spl5d\r ) :i* 8 arti/ic temp]am5t
 clo!d ev]y?+ he look$ at4  ,:5 ,i _h   
look$ en\gh at ! et*+s1 ,i us$ to g home
 ?r\gh ! t[n1 & x seem$ to me z if ,i 7 
meet+ ! v p ,i _h j se5 9 ! engrav+s4 ,z
 ,i w5t ?r\gh ! ,hoog ,/raat & ,/4      

,an?ony's ,bree/raat to ! ,jod5         
,bree/raat1 :]e ,i liv$ a few doors f ! 
fam\s h\se :]e ,rembr&t dwelt & work$ s 
long1 ,i saw ! picturesque cr[d pass+ to
 & fro2 ,i saw ! vivid ,hebrew          
physiognomies1 ) _! iron-grey be>ds2 !  
r$-head$ wom52 ! b>r[s full ( fi% or    
fruit1 or all k9ds ( rubbi%2 ! h\ses1 ! 
p1 ! sky4 ,x 0 all ,rembr&t--all        
,rembr&tesque4 ,a great deal has be5    
*ang$ 9 ^? /reets s9ce ! "t ( :i* ,i h  
be5 writ+1 yet1 ev5 n[1 :5ev] ,i pass   
?r\gh !m ,i seem to see ! col\rs1 & !   
k9d ( p ,rembr&t %[s u 9 8 works4  ,9 ! 
meantime ,i _h f\nd a ?ird manife/ation 
( ,rembr&t's tal5t1 viz41 8 draw+s4 ,to 
a "y pa9t]1 :o himself 0 /ill grop+ 9 ! 
d>k = means ( express+ 8 feel+s1 ^!     
draw+s 7 exce$+ly puzzl+1 b at ! same "t
 full ( /imulus4  ,less palpably liv+   
?an 8 et*+s1 x 0 "s "t be=e ,i c\ld     
prop]ly appreciate !m1 b :5 ,i und]/ood 
:at ,i firmly believe /ill1 namely1 t ! 
ma/] did n draw ) a view to exhibit+ !m 
or only = ! pleasure ( mak+ graceful    

outl9es ,i felt _! true mean+4 ,!y 7    
simply ! embodim5ts ( 8 deep] feel+s2   
emanations f ! abundance ( 8 f]tile     
imag9ation4 ,!y h be5 ?r[n on ! pap] )  
an un?9k+1 c>eless h&2 ! same h& t      
creat$ ma/]pieces1 prompt$ by ! slighte/
 impulse1 ! lea/ s5sation4 ,:5 ,i look$ 
at !m sup]ficially !y seem$ disfigur$ by
 all sorts ( smudges & ?ick black l9es1 
:i* cross & recross 9 a seem+ly wild &  
aimless sort ( way2 b :5 look$ into     
c>efully1 !y all h a mean+ ( _! own1 & h
 be5 put !re ) a j & deep felt          
appreciation ( light & %ade4 ,! great]  
compositions cr[d$ ) figures1 ! build+s1
 ! l&scapes--all are impregnat$ ) ! same
 deep arti/ic feel+4  ,illu/ration3     
,,plate ,,vii4--,,portrait ,,( ,,an     
,,old ,,lady  ,?is fam\s portrait ( an  
old lady unkn[n is 9 our ,national      
,gall]y4 ,x is on canvas #d ft4 #bc_/d  
94 by #c ft4 #b 94  ,"o ev5+ "o ( my    
fri5ds gave u a %ort lecture on art &   
%[$ u _m draw+s by anci5t & mod]n       
arti/s1 mo/ ( !m1 h[ev]1 be+ by         

contempor>ies :o _h already become      
fam\s4 ,among !m 0 "o draw+ by ,rembr&t1
 & x 0 rem>kable to notice ! peculi>    
effect x produc$ 9 ?is collection4 ,!   
sc5e repres5t$ on ! old smudgy piece (  
pap] 0 s simple 9 execution1 s noble 9  
composition1 done ) j a few /rokes ( !  
p5cil1 t all ! o!r draw+s look$ l       
appr5tice-"w beside x4 ,"h 0 ! ma/]1    
t[]+ above all4  ,?us ,i saw ,rembr&t1 !
 man :o c\ld tell me endless /ories1 &  
c\ld conjure !m up be=e my eyes ) ei!r  
bru%1 p5cil1 or et*+ ne$le4 ,:e!r heav5 
or e>?2 ! h]oes ( old2 or only a corn] (
 old ,am/]dam--out ( ev]y?+ he made !   
mo/ beautiful draw+s4 ,8 pictures (     
lions & elephants are wond]fully nave4  
,8 nude figures ( female models are     
rem>kable1 because no pa9t] d>$ pa9t !m 
exactly z he saw !m 9 8 /udio1 b        
,rembr&t1 entranc$ by ! gl[ & w>m? ( !  
fle% t9ts1 nev] dreamt ( reproduc+ !m   
o!rwise ?an z he saw !m4 ,x 0 no ,v5us1 
or ,june1 or ,diana he want$4 ,he might1
 p]haps1 ev5 take 8 neighb\r's          

wa%]woman1 make h] get up on ! model    
?rone1 & put h] on ! canvas 9 all !     
glory ( liv+1 ?robb+ fle% & blood4  ,& !
 way 9 :i* he put 8 scrawls & /rokes is 
s wond]ful t "o c nev] look too long at 
!m4 ,all 8 "w is done ) a               
light-he>t$ness1 a *e]fulness1 &        
firmness :i* preclude at once ! idea (  
pa9ful /udy & ex]tion4   ,,ii  ,:at d ,i
 ?9k ( ! ma/] n[1 aft] s _m ye>s8  ,come
 ) me1 read]1 let u look toge!r at !    
/ronge/ expression ( ,rembr&t's art1    
viz41 8 picture ,! ,night ,patrol4  ,our
 way leads u n[ to ! ,ryksmuseum1 & we  
sit d[n 9 ! newly built ,rembr&t room1 )
 our backs to ! light1 s z to obta9 a   
full view ( ! picture1 & we try to =get 
all ab\t ! /ruggle x co/ to erect ?is   
temple ( art4  ,at fir/ sight1 we are   
/ruck by ! gr& movem5ts ( light & %ade1 
:i* seem to flood ! canvas z if ) waves 
( col\r$ h>monies4 ,!n1 sudd5ly1 two m5 
seem to /ep out f ! gr\p4 ,! "o is      
dress$ 9 sombre-col\r$ clo!s1 :il/ ! o!r
 is respl5d5t 9 :ite4 ,t is ,rembr&t all

 ov]1 n afraid ( putt+ ! light 9 bold   
contra/ aga9/ ! d>k4 ,s z to ma9ta9 !   
h>mony betwe5 ! two he makes ! d>k man  
lift 8 h& z if he 7 po9t+ at some?+1 & 9
 do+ s1 he ca/s a s(t5+ %ad[ on 8       
brilliant companion4 ,g5ius f9ds a way  
:]e ord9>y mortals are at a loss h[ to  
help !mselves4 ,cle>ly ^! m5 are 9 e>ne/
 conv]sation ) ea* o!r1 & x is q evid5t 
t !y are ! lead]s ( ! company4  ,b :5   
ev]y?+ 0 put on ! canvas t he int5d$ to 
put !re1 ! ma/] /ood 9 front ( x & %ook 
8 head4  ,to him ^! two lead]s did n /& 
out suffici5tly f ! re/4 ,s he took up 8
 palette aga91 & aga9 he dipp$ 8 broade/
 bru%es deep 9 pa9t & ) a few mighty    
/rokes he trans=m$ ^! two figures2 a    
little m dep? "h1 "s m light !re4 ,he   
tri$ e means to give ! sc5e m dep?1 & a 
full] mean+4 ,!n he saw t x 0 all "r &  
left x4  ,! lik5ess ( 8 patrons 01      
p]haps1 n v exact & mo/ likely "s       
murmurs 7 rais$ at ! want ( m9utely     
f9i%$ detail2 b he did n he$ su* matt]s4
 ,to him ! ma9 po9t 0 to make 8 figures 

live & brea! & move2 & see h[ he        
succe$$6 ,f ! plumes ( _! hats to !     
soles ( _! feet ev]y?+ is liv+1         
tangible4 ,h[ full ( en]gy & "* are _!  
heads6 ,_! dress1 ! /eel gorget1 ! boots
 ( ! man 9 :ite2 ev]y?+ be>s witness to 
! wond]ful p[] ( ! ma/]4  ,& look at !  
man 9 black1 ) 8 r$ b&oli]1 8 gloves1 & 
8 /ick4 ,?is does n /rike "o z any?+ out
 ( ! common1 because ! composition is s 
true1 s p]fectly natural & simple4 ,i _c
 rememb] hav+ se5 a s+le picture 9 :i* !
 peculi> /yle & picturesqu5ess ( ^? days
 is s vividly express$1 z 9 ! figures ( 
^! two m5 calmly walk+ along on ! giant 
canvas4  ,n[ let u turn to ! "r & h a   
look at ! p]spir+ drumm]4 ,8 pock-m>k$  
face1 ov]%ad[$ by a fray$ hat1 is ( !   
true ,fal/aff type4 ,! swoll5 nose1 !   
?ick-lipp$ m\?1 e detail is c>ri$ out ) 
! d>+ ( ! true arti/ :i* *>act]ises all 
! ma/]'s "w4 ,look at him1 drumm+ away z
 if he want$ to make x kn[n t he himself
 is "o ( ! mo/ magnific5t specim5s ( !  
"w ( ! g5ius :om m5 call ,rembr&t4  ,on 

look+ at ?is man ,i c und]/& :y ,g]>d de
 ,lairesse exclaim$ 9 8 great book on   
pa9t+3 ,9 ,rembr&t's pictures ! pa9t is 
runn+ d[n ! panel l mud6 ,b x 0 only 8  
consci5ti\s n>r[-m9d$ness :i* made him  
say x4 ,g5ius nev] fails to get into    
conflict ) n>r[ ?\ght4  ,b n[ let u turn
 our att5tion to ! left-h& corn]4 ,!re  
we see t pi?y soldi] all 9 r$4 ,rembr&t1
 ) 8 intuitive k ( *i>oscuro1 0 n afraid
 ( pa9t+ a figure all 9 r$4 ,he knew t !
 play ( light & %ade on ! col\r w\ld    
help him out4 ,"h "p ( ! r$ is ton$ d[n 
by a beautiful s(t t9t1 :i* makes ! :ole
 figure bl5d h>moni\sly ) ! greyi%-gre5 
( ! o!rs4 ,?is man 9 r$1 too1 has be5   
treat$ 9 ! same ma/]ly mann] ( :i* ,i   
spoke above4 ,if "o looks at him        
att5tively1 x seems z if ! man1 :o      
app>5tly might /ep out ( ! canvas at any
 rate1 _h be5 pa9t$ ) "o p[]ful sweep ( 
! bru%4 ,h[ firm is ! treatm5t ( ! h&   
load+ ! gun2 h[ true ! %ad[s on ! r$ hat
 & j]k94 ,!re ! figure /&s1 al]t1 liv+1 
full ( movem5t1 ri* 9 col\r4  ,9 ?is    

m>vell\s picture we come across some?+  
/rik+ at e turn4 ,h[ life-l is !        
halb]di] look+ ov] 8 %\ld]2 & ! man :o  
is inspect+ 8 gun1 j beh9d ! figure 9   
:ite2 obs]ve ! wond]ful effect ( !      
laugh+ boy 9 ! grey hat aga9/ ! d>k     
backgr\nd4 ,ev5 ! pill> :i* s]ves z a   
backgr\nd to ! man ) ! helmet adds to ! 
h>mony ( ! :ole4  ,b "h we meet ) some?+
 peculi>6 ,:at is t qua9t little girl   
do+ among all ^? m58  ,illu/ration3     
,,plate ,,viii4--,,head ,,( ,a ,,"y     
,,man4 7,unkn[n7  ,9 ! ,l\vre  ,numb]s (
 critics h rack$ _! bra9s ab\t ! mean+ (
 diff]5t details4 ,b if ,rembr&t c\ld h 
he>d !m1 he w\ld h answ]$ ) a laugh1    
,don't y see t ,i only want$ ?is *ild z 
a focus = ! light1 & a contra/ ) all !  
d[nw>d l9es & d>k col\rs8  ,! man ) !   
bann] 9 ! backgr\nd1 ! dog runn+ away1  
all ^! details help ea* o!r to c>ry out 
! effect ( l9e & col\r4 ,!re is n a     
squ>e in* 9 ?is canvas :i* does n betray
 a r>e tal5t4 ,?is is a case 9 :i* !    
ass]tion1 ,cut me a piece out ( a       

picture & ,i w tell y if x is by an     
arti/1 c\ld successfully be appli$4     
,n[1 ,i hope my read]s won't object to  
accompany+ me a little fur!r1 & /opp+ ) 
me be=e ! ,syndics4 ,!re x hangs1 !     
great simple canvas1 q diff]5t 9 "* f ! 
,night ,patrol4  ,ev]y?+ "h is dignifi$ 
& /ately4 ,! :ole picture is a glori\s  
witness to ! consummate k ! ma/]        
possess$ ( express+ ! individual s\l 9 !
 human face4 ,"h !y sit1 ^? old ,dut*   
fa!rs1 assembl$ 9 solemn conclave1      
debat+ ab\t _! trade1 ) ! books on !    
table 9 front ( !m2 & ,rembr&t has pa9t$
 ^! heads s true to life t 9 ! c\rse (  
ye>s !y h become l old fri5ds2 yes1 old 
fri5ds1 ?\gh !y liv$ hundr$s ( ye>s be=e
 we 7 dreamt (4  ,h[ long h ,i kn[n t   
man on ! left1 ) 8 h& on ! knob ( 8     
arm-*air1 & ! f9e grey hair on 8 broad  
wr9kl$ br[ %[+ f "u ! high /eeple-hat8  
,! fle% t9ts 9 ! face1 :e!r cat*+ ! full
 light1 or p>tly veil$ by %ad[s1 display
 an endless v>iety ( %ades1 & ! neutral 
gre5s & r$s1 greys & yell[s1 are put    

aga9/ ea* o!r 9 su* a wond]ful mann] t  
an effect has be5 atta9$ :i* /rikes u   
dumb ) admiration4 ,! way 9 :i* he is   
made to /& out f ! backgr\nd is 9 itself
 m>vell\s1 b j look at ! man6 h[ full ( 
life & und]/&+ is ! look 9 ^? eyes4 ,x  
is some?+ q unique1 some?+ ,rembr&t     
himself has nev] surpass$4  ,& !n !re   
are ! o!r figures2 ! man :o is lean+    
=w>d2 ! "o sitt+ "r 9 front ( ! book1 8 
neighb\r2 ev5 ! fif? m]*ant on ! "r1 ) 8
 s]vant beh9d him--"o & all are full (  
life & light4  ,! backgr\nd is su* z    
,rembr&t only1 ) 8 und]/&+ ( l9es1 c\ld 
h devis$4 ,! wall & ! panell+ %ut 9 !   
composition 9 su* a way t "o _c possibly
 imag9e x ev] hav+ be5 o!rwise4 ,& ev5  
?is skilful t\* is made subord9ate to ! 
w>m r$ col\r ( ! tableclo?1 :i* l5ds !  
picture an additional dep?4  ,i don't "k
 :e!r ?is picture 0 v mu* discuss$ by   
,rembr&t's contempor>ies :5 x 0 f9i%$4  
,b to u1 :o h se5 s mu* ( ! art ( !     
great ,italians1 ,g]mans1 & ,spani>ds1  
^! heads are ! highe/ a*ievem5t ( ! art 

( pa9t+4  ,:5 ,i 0 9 ,madrid1 :]e ,i 0  
*>m$ by ,velasquez' "w1 our p>ty 0 "o   
day walk+ ?r\gh ! broad /reets ( !      
capital4 ,pass+ a l>ge1 picturesque     
build+1 our att5tion 0 attract$ by a    
gaudy po/] in=m+ u t an exhibition ( !  
works ( mod]n ,spani% arti/s 0 be+ held 
)94 ,our curiosity be+ ar\s$1 we ent]$1 
& f\nd t 9 ?is c\ntry1 :]e s _m fam\s   
arti/s liv$ & work$1 !re are among !    
mod]n arti/s _m /udi\s1 highly tal5t$   
m51 :o s]ve _! art ) true love &        
devotion4 ,b sudd5ly x seem$ z if we _h 
be5 c>ri$ by magic f ,spa9 back to      
,am/]dam4 ,we _h come face to face ) a  
copy ( ! ,syndics1 pa9t$ by a ,spani%   
arti/ dur+ a /ay 9 ,am/]dam4  ,0 x      
national prejudice1 or 0 x conviction8  
,i don't "k2 b ?is copy spoke to u ( a  
_s ( great] simplicity1 ( a tru]        
conception ( ! nature & dignity ( mank9d
 ?an any?+ we _h admir$ 9 ! ,prado4     
,yes2 ?is picture ev5 kills its own     
,dut* bro!rs4 ,x makes ,van d] ,hel/    
look sup]ficial1 & ,franz ,hals unf9i%$ 

& flat4 ,s mu* ?or\ghness & dep? comb9$ 
) su* fre$om & grace ( movem5t is n to  
be f\nd any:]e else4  ,^! p h liv$ on ! 
canvas = c5turies1 & !y w outlive u all4
 ,& ! man :o a*iev$ ?is ma/]piece 0 at !
 "t ( its production a poor1 /ruggl+    
burgh] liv+ 9 an obscure corn] ( ! t[n  
:]e 8 t]c5t5>y fe/ival 0 lately         
celebrat$4   ,,iii  ,b ?is is n ! place 
= ! sad reflections :i* are awak5$ 9 our
 m9ds on exam9+ ! records ( him ^: "n ! 
_w n[ glorifies & raises to ! skies4    
,bett] to hon\r ! great ma/] :o1 = s _m 
c5turies1 has held ! _w 9 aw$           
admiration4 ,!re is no ne$ to-day to    
drag ,rembr&t =? f ! obscurity ( ! pa/  
to save him f oblivion2 we 7 n oblig$ to
 cleanse 8 image f ! du/ ( ages be=e %[+
 to ! _w ?is unequall$ g5ius to :om     
,holl& pr\dly po9ts z "o ( h] own sons4 
,on ! contr>y1 nev] 0 ,rembr&t's art    
valu$ s highly z x is n[4 ,ar*ives &    
docum5ts are se>*$ = details ab\t 8 life
 & works4 ,we want to "k all ab\t 8     
life1 & are anxi\s to %>e 8 inmo/ feel+s

 9 prosp]ity & adv]sity4 ,! h\ses :]e he
 liv$ are m>k$ d[n & b\ght by art-lov]s4
 ,at ! pres5t "t ,rembr&t is 9 ! z5i? ( 
8 glory4 ,gold loses its value :]e 8    
pictures are conc]n$4 ,=tunes are sp5t  
to secure ! mo/ insignificant ( 8 works2
 p travel across cont95ts to see !m2 &  
criticism1 :i* = long ye>s did little m 
?an sn>l at ,rembr&t1 has = ne>ly fifty 
ye>s be5 dumb4  ,x is rem>kable t none (
 ! great pa9t]s h1 9 ! c\rse ( ye>s1 be5
 subject$ to s mu* criticism z ,rembr&t4
 ,& not)/&+ all ! ?+s :i* h be5 said    
ab\t ! improbability ( ! sc5e1 & !      
exagg]ation ( ! d>k backgr\nd1 ! ,night 
,patrol is n[1 z x ev] 0 & ev] w be1 !  
,_w's wond]1 z our ,engli% neighb\rs    
say4  ,dur+ 8 lifetime !re 7 p :o       
condemn$ ,rembr&t because he refus$ to  
foll[ 9 ! foot/eps ( ! old ,italian     
pa9t]s1 because he p]si/$ 9 pa9t+ nature
 z he saw x4  ,to u su* a reproa* seems 
/range1 yet x is q true4 ,ev5 dur+ ! la/
 ye>s ( ,rembr&t's life a gr[+          
dissatisfaction ) ! exi/+ ideas on art &

 lit]ature _h tak5 possession ( ! ,dut* 
m9d4 ,p develop$ a morbid ta/e = ev]y?+ 
classical2 & :5 ,i read 9 ! prose works 
& poems ( ^! days ! ,lat9is$ names & !  
con/ant allusions to ,greek gods &      
goddesses & my?ological p]sonages1 s    
/rangely out ( place "u our nor!rn sky1 
,i am fill$ ) disgu/4  ,x 0 =tunate1    
inde$1 t ,rembr&t always felt /rong 9 8 
own conviction & only foll[$ 8 own      
views4 ,= _m ye>s aft] 8 dea?1 ev5 z    
late z ! middle ( ! n9ete5? c5tury1 a   
numb] ( art critics rais$ objections    
aga9/ ! dang]\s !ories ( :i* 8 pictures 
7 ! expression4 ,aga9 & aga9 !y attack$ 
8 te*nical treatm5t2 none ( !m ev]      
grasp$ its deep]1 full] mean+4  ,happily
 ^? days are f> beh9d u4 ,a great numb] 
( books & pamphlets h be5 publi%$ on    
,rembr&t dur+ ! la/ fifty ye>s1 & !y are
 almo/ unanim\s 9 _! praise & admiration
 ( ! great ma/]4 ,! m lib]al feel+s ( ! 
mod]n _w h a*iev$ "s victories 9 !      
realms ( art z well z else:]e4 ,we      
mod]ns feel t ! app>5t %ortcom+s &      

exagg]ations are no?+ b ! inevitable    
peculi>ities att5dant ^u g5ius4 ,& we   
ev5 g s f> t we w\ld n h him be )\t a   
s+le "o ( !m1 = fe> ( los+ ! slighte/   
trait 9 ! "* ( ! great man ^: e movem5t 
r\s$ our intellectual faculties4  ,s    
,rembr&t has be5 rais$ 9 our days to !  
p9nacle ( fame :i* is 8 by "r2 ! fe/ival
 ( 8 t]c5t5>y 0 ackn[l$g$ by ! :ole     
civilis$ _w z ! natural utt]ance ( joy &
 pride ( our small c\ntry 9 be+ able to 
c\nt among its *ildr5 ! great ,rembr&t4 
,i f9i%1--) ! p51 b n ) ! he>t6 ,= if ,i
 %\ld g on until ! incl9ation to add m  
to :at ,i h writt5 "h %\ld fail me1 my  
read]s w\ld h tir$ ( me long be=e ,i _h 
tir$ ( my subject4 ,i am ?9k+ ( t r>e   
gem1 ! portrait ( ,jan ,six--( ! ,l\vre1
 ( ,cassel1 ( ,brunswick1 ( :at n6  ,may
 ^! pages convey to ! read] ! fact t ,i 
h always look$ ^u ,rembr&t z ! true type
 ( an arti/1 free1 untrammell$ by       
traditions1 g5ial 9 all he did2 9 %ort1 
a figure 9 :om all ! great qualities ( !
 old ,republic ( ! ,unit$ ,prov9ces 7   

conc5trat$ & reflect$4   ,,footnotes3   
,footnote #a3 ,! ,tripp5huis 0 us$ z a  
picture gall]y be=e ! ,ryksmuseum 0     
built4 ,x 0 an old patrician family     
mansion belong+ to ! ,trip family4      
,sev]al memb]s ( ?is family fill$       
important po/s 9 ! gov]nm5t ( ! old     
,republic ( ! ,unit$ ,prov9ces1 & "s 7  
burgoma/]s ( ,am/]dam4  ,footnote #b3   
,arti et ,amiciti is a society ( mod]n  
,dut* pa9t]s4 ,occasionally ! memb]s    
organise exhibitions ( ! "w (           
contempor>y c\ntrym5 or ( =eign arti/s1 
& e ye> !re is an exhibition ( _! own   
works4 ,^! %[s are held 9 ! society's   
own build+ 9 ,am/]dam at ! corn] ( !    
,rok9 & ,spui4