Potsdam to host “Rembrandt: Beyond the Brush” exhibit

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Art Museum at SUNY Potsdam will present an exhibition of etchings by Rembrandt Van Rijn, the Dutch master artist titled “Rembrandt: Beyond the Brush” Thursday, Sept. 12 through Nov. 2 in the college’s Roland Gibson Gallery, Watertown Daily Times said.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for north country residents to view work by Rembrandt,” said museum director April Vasher-Dean. “This exhibition represents the only time such a large selection of works by an old master has been available in the area. We are proud to offer this rare chance for students and the community to view such a unique selection of prints by Rembrandt.”

The fame of Rembrandt Van Rijn (1606-1669) as a painter was exceeded in his own lifetime by his renown as a master etcher. In an age and culture dominated by the intellect, Rembrandt’s patrons treasured his ability to communicate the profound, spiritual beauty of the earthbound and the tangible.

Through self-portraits, landscapes and depictions of Bible stories and everyday life, Rembrandt captured the essence of feeling for the spiritual and personal, all portrayed within the context of 17th century Holland’s dynamic society.

His artistry is embodied in the 35 etchings that comprise this exhibition from the permanent collection of the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts in Montgomery, Ala. Adolph “Bucks” Weil Jr. (1915-1995) collected the etchings in this traveling exhibition, which are a portion of the legacy he left to the museum in his native city.

There will be an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Gibson Gallery of Brainerd Hall. This event is free and the public is invited to attend.