Rembrandt and Rubens

Running Head : Rembrandt and Rubens

Rembrandt and Rubens : A Comparison Study

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11 Dec 2006

Abstract

To compare both Rembrandt and Rubens at the peak of their artistic careers is like comparing apples and oranges , with a common denominator the term fruit . As gentle and natural was the art of Rembrandt Rubens seemed to move continuously throughout the canvas in a continuous motion of sheer power and drama . They were two different types of men [banner_entry_middle]

considered grand masters of their time , yet they approached art from two entirely different levels of humanity – – Rembrandt with more gentle feeling and emotion than any other painter of his time , his early works focusing on the common man and spirituality , with Rubens as a high-striving successful court appointee with an air of pure drama in every brush stroke he made for his commissions

Rembrandt and Rubens : A Comparison Study

The art of both Rembrandt and Rubens made them famous for their artistic skill in utilizing extreme power and high levels of energy – – how they chose to portray this was what separated them as artists , as they alternatively wove in and out of their lives with similar styles in their artwork . Rembrandt had a talent for soft and emotional work that approached the common levels of humanity , yet he approached the Baroque style in his artwork , The Blinding of Samson . Rubens on the other hand used the Baroque style continuously until his latter years , where his work took a turn into more tenderness and serenity . Both men had a lot in common , just at different times in their life

In comparison to the life of Rubens , in Rembrandt ‘s life the Dutch court of the Prince of Orange did not purchase pictures . The high finances that were available to Rubens with his court and Catholic connections were not present in Rembrandt ‘s life – – due to his continuous overspending , money and finances seemed to always be a struggle for him which is quite possibly why he chose to connect with the common man and the religious aspects of the world instead of commissioning massive amounts of work from the Church or royalty

In his early picture , Tobit and Anna ‘ the religious air that was present in usual Holland art was not present in this picture demonstrating his compassion for humanity in a new , Protestant attitude toward Old Testament scenes ‘ that would appear repeatedly in his later art (Janson , 1971 . Rembrandt was an individual who was deep in his approach to mankind , as compared to the more superficial attitude of Rubens , with this particular early work allowing its viewer to see how intimate was the relationship between the man and wife as they sadly contemplated the death of the young goat

Rubens lived a life that was quite the opposite of Rembrandt – – he helped the Baroque art spread by spending eight years studying its art in Italy . Studying art since he… [banner_entry_footer]