The biblical theme was very important to Rembrandt. In 1634 the artist created the Holy Family, John the Baptist Preaching, Ecce Homo. In Ecce Homo Jesus stands before Pilate, the procurator, the man who is to judge him. Pilate, convinced of Christ's innocence, presents him to the people with the words «See, the man!» – in Latin: «Ecco Homo». But the people and the priests cry out that Jesus must be crucified. The Passion of Christ was a popular subject. Rembrandt painted a series of seven pictures illustrating this episode. Abraham's Sacrifice was produced by Rembrandt in 1635. In Christ Appearing to Mary Magdalen, of 1638, Rembrandt shows Mary's shock of recognition.
Moses Breaking the Tablets was created in 1659. The Old Testament recounts that Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness. At Mount Sinai he received God's laws – the Ten Commandments – written on 'stone tablets'. But while Moses was on the mountain the people built an idol: a golden calf. When Moses came down from the mountain he saw the people dancing around the idol. In the anger he smashed the stone tablets. Rembrandt illustrates the moment just before Moses threw down the tablets.
Besides many paintings of biblical scenes Rembrandt took themes from mythology. In Diana Bathing with her Nymphs, with the Stories of Acteon and Callisto, c. 1634, Rembrandt combined two stories taken from Ovid's Metamorphoses. In the Rape of Ganymede, of 1635, the artist shows how Jupiter, turned into an eagle, carries Ganymede off to Olympus, to place him later in the Heavens as one of the signs of the Zodiac, Aquarius.
Rembrandt was not understood in his own life-time. He died in poverty. But it is the spirituality of his art that distinguishes Rembrandt from his Dutch contemporaries and makes him the greatest artist of the world.
Make sure you know how to pronounce the following words:
Rembrandt; Leiden; Amsterdam; Metamorphoses; commandment; Sinai; Ovid; Pilate; Apocrypha; Abraham; pilgrimage; archangel; Aquarius; Jupiter
Notes
Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp – «Урок анатомии доктора Тулпа»
The Night Watch – «Ночной дозор»
The Polish Rider – «Польский всадник»
Return of the Prodigal Son – «Возвращение блудного сына»
Holy Family – «Святое семейство»
John the Baptist Preaching – «Проповедь Иоанна Кресги-теля»
Abraham, 's Sacrifice – «Жертвоприношение Авраама»
Moses Breaking the Tablets – «Моисей, разбивающий скрижали»
