Rembrandt and Vincent Van Gogh - the great Dutch artists

The Netherlands is a unique country that has presented to the world not one dozen outstanding artists. Famous designers, artists and simply talented performers are a small list that this small state can flatter.

The heyday of the art of Holland

The era of the prosperity of the art of realism lasted for a relatively short time in Holland. This period covers the entire XVII century, but the scale of its significance far exceeds these chronological limits. Dutch artists of that time became a model for imitation for the next generation of painters. So that these words did not sound unfounded, it is worth mentioning the names of Rembrandt and Hals, Potter and Ruisdael, who forever strengthened the status of unsurpassed masters of a realistic image.

Jan Vermeer was a very significant representative of Dutch painting. He is considered to be the most mysterious character in the era of the heyday of Dutch painting, since, being famous during his lifetime, he lost interest in his person in less than half a century. Vermeer does not know much about the biographical information, mostly art experts studied the history of it with the help of studying his works, but there were also difficulties here - the artist practically did not date his paintings. The most valuable from an aesthetic point of view is considered to be the works of Jan "A Servant with a Jug of Milk" and "A Girl with a Letter".

No less famous and respectable artists were Hans Memling, Hieronymus Bosch, genius Jan van Eyck. All creators are distinguished by an appeal to the everyday genre of painting, which is reflected in still-lives, landscapes and portraits.

Dutch painting left its imprint on the subsequent development of French art in the second half of the 17th century and became a model for realistic landscapes created during the Renaissance. Do not deprive the attention of the Dutch and Russian artists, realists. It can be safely asserted that the art of the Netherlands became progressive and revealing and managed to find reflection in the canvas of every outstanding artist who wrote natural sketches.

Rembrandt and his legacy

The full name of the artist is Rembrandt van Rijn. He was born in a memorable year in 1606 in a family that was sufficiently prosperous at that time. Being the fourth child, he still got a good education. Father wanted his son to graduate from university and become an outstanding figure, but his expectations were not justified because of the boy's poor performance, and so that all efforts were not wasted, he had to give in to the guy and agree with his desire to become an artist.

Teachers of Rembrandt were Dutch artists Jacob van Svanenbürh and Peter Lastman. The former possessed rather mediocre skills in painting, but managed to gain respect for his personality, as he spent a long time in Italy, communicating and working with local artists. Rembrandt was not long with Yakov and went in search of another teacher in Amsterdam. There he enrolled in the teachings of Peter Lastman, who became for him a true mentor. It was he who taught the young man the engraving art to the extent that contemporaries can observe.

As evidenced by the work of the master, executed in huge numbers, Rembrandt became a fully-formed artist by 1628. In the basis of his sketches lay any objects, human faces were not an exception. Discussing portraits of Dutch artists, we can not fail to mention the name of Rembrandt, who from his young years became famous for his remarkable talent in this field. He wrote many self-portraits, portraits of his father and mother, which are now stored in galleries.

Rembrandt quickly gained popularity in Amsterdam, but it did not stop improving. In the 30 years of the XVII century, his famous masterpieces "The lesson of anatomy", "Portrait of Koppenol" are being created. It is interesting that at that time Rembrandt marries the beautiful Saxia, and in his life the fertile time of abundance and glory begins. Young Saxia became a muse of the artist and was embodied not in one picture, however, as critics say, her features are repeatedly found in other portraits of the master.

The painter died in poverty, without losing the fame he acquired during his lifetime. His masterpieces are concentrated in all major galleries of the world. He rightly can be called a master, whose works are a synthesis of the whole medieval realistic painting. Technically, his work can not be called ideal, because he did not chase the accuracy of the construction of the picture. The most important artistic aspect, singling it out among representatives of schools of painting, was his unrivaled play of light and shade.

Vincent Van Gogh is a brilliant nugget

Hearing the phrase "great Dutch artists", many people immediately paint in the head the image of Vincent Van Gogh, his undeniably beautiful and juicy paintings, which were appreciated only after the death of the artist.

This person can be called unique in its kind and brilliant personality. Being the son of a pastor, Van Gogh, like his brother, followed in the footsteps of his father. Vincent studied theology and was even a preacher in the Belgian town of Borinage. On his account, too, work as a commission agent and various relocations. However, the service in the parish and close contact with the harsh everyday life of the miners revived the inner genius of injustice in the young genius. Every day contemplating the fields and life of working people, Vincent was so inspired that he began to paint.

Dutch artists are primarily known for their portraits and landscapes. Was not an exception and Vincent Van Gogh. Towards his thirtieth birthday, he throws everything and begins to actively engage in painting. For this period, it is necessary to create his famous works "Potato Eaters", "Peasant Woman". All his works are imbued with frenzied sympathy for ordinary people who feed the whole country, but can hardly feed their own families.

Later, Vincent is sent to Paris, and the direction of his work is somewhat different. There are tense images and new themes for empathy. Polunishchensky way of life and marriage to a prostitute reflected on his art, which is clearly visible in the paintings "Night Cafe", "Walking prisoners".

Friendship with Gauguin

Beginning in 1886, van Gogh was fascinated by the study of the Impressionist's plein air painting and showed interest in Japanese engraving. It was from that moment in the works of the artist that the characteristic features of Gauguin and Toulouse-Lautrec are seen. First of all, this can be traced in changing the transmission of color mood. In the works begin to prevail smears of a rich yellow color, as well as blue "sparkling". The first etudes in the characteristic color scheme were: "The Bridge over the Seine" and "Portrait of the Pope Tangi." The latter dazzles with its brightness and daring strokes.

The friendship between Gauguin and Van Gogh was correlative: they mutually influenced each other's creativity , although they used different expressive tools, actively exchanged gifts in the form of their own paintings and constantly argued. The difference between the characters, Vincent's insecure position, who believed that his picturesque mannerisms were "rurally cattle", gave rise to controversy. In a way, Gauguin was a more down-to-earth personality than B, An Gogh. The passions in their relationship were so heated that one day they quarreled at their favorite cafe and Vincent threw a glass with absinthe in Gauguin. The quarrel did not end there, and the next day a long series of accusations followed in the direction of Gauguin, who, according to Van Gogh, was guilty of all mortal sins. It was at the end of this story that the Dutchman was so furious and depressed that he cut off a piece of his ear, which he kindly presented as a gift to a prostitute.

Dutch artists, regardless of the era of their lives, have repeatedly demonstrated to society their unsurpassed manner of transferring moments of life to canvas. However, perhaps no one in the world could be awarded the title of genius, without having the slightest idea about the technique of drawing, composition and ways of artistic transmission. Vincent Van Gogh is a unique nugget who managed to achieve world recognition thanks to his perseverance, purity of spirit and an exorbitant thirst for life.