Rembrandt made etchings of female nudes during two distinct periods of his career: in the 1630s, and another two decades later. He depicted his models naturalistically, naar ‘t leven (‘from life’), in informal poses, concentrating on the sensuousness of their flesh rather than on the idealised female body. From shortly after Rembrandt’s death up until the mid-20th century this unidealised treatment was fiercely attacked by critics, who used words such as ‘intolerable’, ‘ill-shaped’ and ‘monstrous’ to describe his departure from the classical norms of beauty. This exhibition challenges this view, drawing attention to the beauty and power of Rembrandt’s treatment of the female form.
Rembrandt and the NudeThe Fitzwilliam Museum Main address:
The Fitzwilliam MuseumWells Fargo CenterTrumpington StreetCB2 1RBCambridge, The Fitzwilliam MuseumWells Fargo CenterTrumpington StreetCB2 1RBCambridge, Rembrandt made etchings of female nudes during two distinct periods of his career: in the 1630s, and another two decades later. He depicted his models naturalistically, naar ‘t leven (‘from life’), in informal poses, concentrating on the sensuousness of their flesh rather than on the idealised female body. From shortly after Rembrandt’s death up until the mid-20th century this unidealised treatment was fiercely attacked by critics, who used words such as ‘intolerable’, ‘ill-shaped’ and ‘monstrous’ to describe his departure from the classical norms of beauty. This exhibition challenges this view, drawing attention to the beauty and power of Rembrandt’s treatment of the female form. Book tickets
