Northern European Renaissance Art, Personality & Identity Psychology, Individual Artists, Art Subjects - General & Miscellaneous, Benelux Art

Rembrandt's Self-Portraits

Name: Rembrandt's Self-Portraits
Author: H P Chapman
ISBN: 9780691040615

by H P Chapman

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Overview

H. Perry Chapman has produced the first comprehensive treatment of the entire body of Rembrandt's self-portraits in their cultural and historical setting and in the context of the artist's life. Prevailing scholarship has tried to discredit the idea that the self-portraits stemmed from any particular inner need, but Chapman counters by presenting fascinating evidence that they represent a conscious and progressive quest for individual identity in a truly modern sense. "H. Perry Chapman, in my view, gives us the Rembrandt we need in the 1990s. . . . [Her] sensitivity to questions of style and expression, combined with original research, leads to a conclusion . . . that `Rembrandt's lifelong preoccupation with self-portraiture can be seen as a necessary process of identity formation or self-definition'--in short, autobiography."--Walter Liedtke, The Journal of Art "Chapman is a graceful writer. Her arguments are balanced, well documented, and vigorously pursued. . . . The publication of this book is cause for gratitude and joy."--Thomas D'Evelyn, Christian Science Monitor

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Editorials

Library Journal

This closely argued text interprets Rembrandt's many self-portraits as a manifestation of the emerging concept of self-identity in 17th-century Holland. Like Svetlana Alpers ( Rembrandt's Enter prise: The Studio and the Market, LJ 6/15/88), Chapman argues against certain established notions of earlier Rembrandt scholarship, contributing to the current lively debate in this field. This will be a significant addition to research collections in art and history and is likely to be of interest to scholars and specialists in the field.-- Kathryn W. Finkelstein, M.Ln., Cincinnati

Booknews

Rembrandt painted, etched, or drew his own likeness at least 75 times over a period of more than forty years. Enhancing his image with costumes or lighting, he assumed the guise of beggar, Renaissance courtier, or saint. Chapman (art history, U. of Delaware) examines Rembrandt's self-portraits in their cultural and historical setting and in the context of the artist's life. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)