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Jacob Blessing The Sons of
Joseph (1656) (detail)
WORLD ART PRICES
For a list of the highest priced
works of art sold at auction, see:
Top 10 Most Expensive
Paintings and
Top 20 Most Expensive
Paintings.
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Rembrandt's paintings are characterized
by broad thick brushstrokes, the use of layers of glazes to give scenes
extra depth and gravity and, in particular, jhis masterful treatment of
light and shadow (chiaroscuro). He was strongly influenced by the Italian
painter Caravaggio (1573-1610), but Rembrandt went further by depicting
his figures' mood and inner mental feelings through an accentuation of
physical features and facial expression, as illustrated in his wide range
of portraits and self-portraits.
Rembrandt's uniqueness and artistic reputation
rests upon his profound humanity. The perception of his portraiture remains
unequalled and his unsurpassed mastery of chiaroscuro (treatment of light
and shade) was acknowledged by all art
critics even when they considered that his subject matter was inappropriate.
Earlier twentieth century art experts assessed Rembrandt's output at over
600 paintings, nearly 400 etchings and 2,000 drawings. However, recent
research conducted by the Rembrandt Research Project has reduced this
to nearer 300 paintings, 300 prints (etchings) and somewhat less than
2000 drawings.
...For details of the life and paintings
of Michelangelo Buonarroti, perhaps the greatest Florentine Renaissance
artist, see Michelangelo.
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