An exhibit at the Getty Center in Los Angeles called "Drawings by Rembrandt and his Pupils"
compares side by side a drawing made by Rembrandt and a drawing of a similar subject made by one of 15 different pupils of the art teacher.
The curator has given us some clues to help our looking and studying of the master Rembrandt.
The listed Elements of Style in Rembrandt's drawings are these:
- Sketchy and Suggestive Use of Line
- Selective Description of Details
- Nuanced Expression and Gesture
- Precise Rendering of Light
- 'a few dark broad sweeping pen lines over a lighter sketch indicate spiraling drapery';
- 'selective details worked into narrative';
- 'consistent powerful subtle gestures, a powerful stance, outstretched finger';
- 'light and shadow on figures, active play of light, solid direction and variation in wash'
These elements have to do with our mantra of 'picking your battles'. Rembrandt didn't have to prove that he could draw and so he didn't try to describe EVERYTHING in the scene with bold thick pen and ink outlines. He decided what was the really important visual part he wanted to tell us about and made sure this stood out boldly. The rest is lighter and secondary. This is how we want our mind's eye to see.I wasn't able to photograph the drawings in this show. There is a published book of the show available through the Getty. I was able to photograph several Rembrandt drawings in an adjoining show. They are included here for your study.
thanks for posting this bob. i just came from seeing the show and was kicking myself that i didn't write down the 4 elements. the one that really struck me was the precise rendering of light.... he used it in such a way that it always created space and volume. absolutely fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThe current show at the Getty is part of Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945-1980, one of 60 some cultural institutions celebrating the birth of the L.A. art scene.
DeleteThe Light and Space movement is represented by some huge cast resin sculptures, very expensive and very difficult to do.
(see January 5, 2012 LA Weekly article about Hastings Plastics: Legendery Maker of Sculptures ...)
Imagine having the element 'light' as the subject you are exploring in your artwork.