Essay about Rembrandts Painting An Old Man in Military...

Rembrandts Painting An Old Man in Military Costume With an extraordinary intensity, Rembrandt van Rijn’s â€Å"An Old Man in Military Costume† is an example of the artist’s use of dynamic lighting. The painting, on display at the Getty Museum, contains a single figure, an old man dressed in a military uniform. While one may appreciate the beauty of the work, to fully experience the passion and genius of the artist, it is necessary to see the painting in person. The delicate details that may be missed by a digital image are easily caught by the human eye. The proper way to view a Rembrandt is in the flesh; the difference is amazing. Born in Leiden, Netherlands, Rembrandt was the son of a miller and†¦show more content†¦Through the singular illumination, the man’s face becomes the focus of the entire picture while the background and his clothing are of secondary note. The positioning of the figure also draws attention to the face. The man’s body is turned sideways but his face is turned toward the viewer creating an impression that we have caught his eye rather than the other way around. Rembrandt painted every minute detail of the face with great care; from the watery reddened eyes to the individual hairs of the man’s beard, nothing is overlooked. Painted during a time when the Dutch were fighting the Spanish for their independence, the man may have been a member of the Dutch army. His patient and resigned demeanor could possibly be the result of years of military service. Sadness seems to surround the man as he faces loss of youth and his own mortality. The entire painting has an aura of sorrow interwoven with resolve. Elizabeth I could have spoken to many such men in her address, â€Å"To the English Troops at Tilbury, Facing the Spanish Armada.† Her rousing speech to encourage the English army invoked an image of the enemy, Spain: â€Å"†¦and [I] think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe should dare to invade the border of my realm† (1091). She discusses the strength of the English, their commitment to freedom and their willingness to fight. As theirShow MoreRelatedEssay on Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn1035 Words   |  5 PagesHis full name was Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. He possessed a profound understanding of human nature that was matched by a brilliant technique—not only in painting but in drawing and etching—and his work made an enormous impact on his contemporaries and influenced the style of many later artists. Perhaps no painter has ever equaled Rembrandts chiaroscuro effects or his bold impasto. II. Life Print section Born in Leiden on July 15, 1606, Rembrandt was the son of a miller. Despite theRead MoreNew York Town And Washington1086 Words   |  5 PagesTripAdvisor’s prime depository within the world for 2 years currently, the Metropolitan depository of Art is America’s largest, as TripAdvisor says, â€Å"home to over 2 million works that span over 2 million sq. feet† together with â€Å"can’t-miss works from old master, Degas, van Gogh, Renoir, Manet, Monet, Picasso and a lot of.† Go currently and you ll see transmutation Object (PsychoBarn) by Cornelia Parker, that is what it sounds like: a mashup of a classic red barn with the Bates mansion from psychotic