Rembrandt: The Painter at Work

Beautifully illustrated and heavy book. Not a light read. It is a rarity among art books in that it focuses primarily in the habits, techniques and studio inner workings of a famous artist instead of the usual historical or symbolic context of the art.This book is exhaustively thorough in its research of studio practices, apprenticeships, preliminary works on tablet, supports, palette, binding materials and painterly technique of Dutch art in the Seventeenth Century and Rembrandt in particular without omitting possible influences and comparisons.The book seems mostly aimed at restoration experts even though the chemistry and scientific lingo is reduced to a minimum with some serious omissions like the chemical nature of Rembrandt's pigments for example which are mostly mentioned by their common name and period nomenclature but rarely reduced to their chemical origin. A working painter will surely find the chapters on binding, imprimatura and color palette very interesting as well as the evolution of Rembrandt's style from a tight style in stages to a "pittura macchiatta" influenced possibly by Titian or a byproduct of the artists' lengthy experience.The main "thesis" of the book in my opinion is debunking the merely visual attempts made by many to elucidate the alchemy behind Rembrandt's mysterious technique. Starting with painter Josefz Israelis muddled interpretation of the master's beautiful palette and "houding" = (I understood this to mean a masterful unity in color and composition , what makes a painting come together form a distance).Israelis work just looks muddy, not particularly compelling in my opinion.Other students of Rembrandt's masterpieces include Reynolds (who attributed the lusciousness of Rembrandt's art to an abundant use of wax), a Jacques Maroger who claimed to have come close to the mysterious binding medium ( a mix of mastic, lead, turpentine and other substances) and Max Doerner's, whose thesis regarding the use of glazing and resins seems to be disoriented.Through the use chromatography the author finds nothing but linseed oil, walnut oil and traces of egg emulsion in the artwork. . Moreover, through analysis of unfinished works, etchings and X-rays, the author also deduces that much of Rembrandt's work was a lot more direct than initially thought with sketching done directly in oils and local color applied fairly early on. In many ways, Rembrandt and his contemporaries owe a lot to Van Eyck, an earlier master whose breathtaking technique and splendor were probably the direct antecedent to many in the Netherlands.I did appreciate this fabulous book despite the difficult reading and I'm sure new discoveries will come forward in time. I just wish there was a more abbreviated and lighter version and that more attention had been paid to link older and current pigments

The book is very detailed going over different paintings done by the old master Rembrandt himself. The reproductions are of good quality and the analysis makes use of scientific techniques for better accuracy. A lot of explanation goes into the process and study of how these paintings were made and the surrounding context.

This book is probably the best study of an individual artist's techniques I've yet to come across. If you have any interest in Rembrandt, whether it be as a art historian, artist or fan of the artist, this book should be an essential component of your library. The book details the results of extensive studies by the author and colleagues on the various techniques adopted by Rembrandt. The opening paragraphs provide background on the life of Rembrandt, the materials available to him, and the state of the art environment in which he worked.This is followed by extensive studies of the techniques he used. Analytical methods such as xray, paint & varnish composition, microscopy, review of the canvas and wood supports etc. help the author to determine "Is every "Rembrandt" a Rembrandt?". The techniques used by Rembrandt as he tries to create various effects within the limitations of the paints etc he used, forms the foundation of the book. For any artists wanting to paint in the style of Rembrandt I can't imagine any book providing the degree of detail that is provided here.The quality of the images are first class, majority in colour. The paper quality is also first rate. My only complaint is that the images are not numbered individually. You have to read the accompanying text to determine which image is which and where they are located on the page. I assume this was the result of printing considerations.A first class book. And essential for anyone interested in Rembrandt and/or Dutch painting in the 1600's. 100% Recommended.

I just want to start by saying that this book should not be bought on the pre-text that it is a coffee table art book full of pretty pictures for the casual observer to just flip through. This is a very well thought out and expertly executed book of artistic scholarship. The information held within is to be appreciated by anyone interested in old master techniques and materials as well as genuine appreciation for the work of one of the greatest artist's whose ever walked this planet. Wetering dispenses of any grandiose, virtually mythological non-sense as to the techniques and materials of Rembrandt. He did not use any secret mediums or had special techniques. Wetering himself studied art, so he is not ignorant to the practices involved in art making. The Rembrandt Project laboriously analyzed the paintings and in this book the discoveries are shed light for all to read. What I personally found refreshing is that Rembrandt is presented to us as a normal man, trained in the traditional, customary techniques of his times. What set him apart is that like all great artists, he had a streak of eccentricity and more importantly, curiosity. This led to him trying out various techniques and materials, but never straying too far from custom.Wetering's book is a great text for artists who really want to understand this marvelously fascinating man and his approach to creating art

I always wanted to paint like the great masters and when I was younger I tried to recreate what I saw in their paintings. Now I’m getting a better understanding of their process and also the guessing of the so called “experts”, whom are still guessing 😄. Now I need the book on Michelangelo 🤔! GREAT BOOK!

As a painter/draughtsman myself I have always felt a particular affinity with the paintings, drawings and etchings of Rembrandt. This book is a detailed study of the methods and materials used by Rembrandt in his paintings; from the early years to his late mature style. Ernst Van De Wettering is the acknowleded world expert and scholar of the artist and this book is a wonderfully comprehensive and detailed study and analysis of Rembrandts materials and technique. The photo quality of the painting examples are excellent and close-up details of the paint surface demonstrating the artists use of the paint medium are a revelation.

If you want to know, really want to know, not just about how Rembrandt dealt with light and shadow but his working methods in detail, you need to buy this book. For the serious student, a tome of incomparable facts, written in an accessible and informative fashion.

Arrived on time and is a very good book, gives insight into the painting methods.

Brilliant book on the why's and wherefore of Rembrandt, and surprisingly readable

very informative book- good buy