LIVERPOOL.- The Lady Lever Art Gallery opened Rembrandt in Print (1 June to 15 September 2019), a new exhibition which presents 50 of the finest etchings and drypoints by the world-famous Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669), on loan from the celebrated collection of the Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford. 

This exclusive selection of ‘the-best-of-the-best’ Rembrandt prints have never been displayed together and have been hand-picked to show the full scope of Rembrandt’s ability as a printer, in the year which also marks 350 years since the artists’ death, and Wirral’s Year of Culture. 

Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (1606-1669) is shown as an unrivalled storyteller through the selection of print works, dating from 1630 to the late 1650s. Widely hailed as the greatest painter of the Dutch Golden Age, he was also one of the most innovative and experimental printmakers of the 17th century.

Exhibition highlights include Rembrandt’s earliest known self-portrait dating from 1630, Rembrandt’s only still-life print, The Shell (1650) and iconic works such as The Three Trees (1643) and The Windmill (1641) and three other intense self-portraits with their penetrating gaze. 

Rembrandt, Self portrait open mouthed as if shouting bust, 1630. © Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

Rembrandt, The Shell, 1650. © Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

Rembrandt, The Three Trees, 1643. © Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

Rembrandt, Self portrait with Saskia, 1643. © Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

Rembrandt, Self portrait etching at a window, 1648. © Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

Perhaps the most remarkable print on display is Christ Presented to the People (Ecce Homo) (1655), considered to be the pinnacle of Rembrandt’s printmaking; the Ashmolean’s print is one of only 8 first state impressions in existence in the world. Created solely in drypoint it is a true feat of printmaking, and was printed on rare Japanese paper which Rembrandt must have sourced via the Dutch East India Company who had exclusive access to Japan through the harbour in Nagasaki. 

Rembrandt, Christ Presented to the People (Ecce Homo), 1650. © Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

Xanthe Brooke, Curator of Art Galleries, National Museums Liverpool said: “This is an exemplary collection, and we are thrilled it is first being shown at the Lady Lever Art Gallery. Visitors to Rembrandt in Print will be able to see Rembrandt’s intense self-portraits, atmospheric landscapes, intimate family portraits, biblical stories and confronting nude studies. We hope people will enjoy this special exhibition”. 

An Van Camp, Curator, Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford said: “This collection of 50 works is the best-of-the best of the Ashmolean’s outstanding Rembrandt prints collection. He created extraordinary prints by using existing techniques in his own artistic and innovative way. His prints range from squiggly, drawing-like sketches to more pictorial, heavily-hatched compositions. While apparently quite diverse at first sight, all Rembrandt’s printed works are characterised by his talent for storytelling and his keen observational skills. His subjects are steeped in drama, adding atmosphere to views of the Dutch countryside or imbuing Biblical scenes with lively characters”. 

Rembrandt, The Hog, 1643. © Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

Rembrandt in Print is organised by the Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, which holds a world class collection of over 200 Rembrandt prints. 

Rembrandt in Print will be followed at the Lady Lever Art Gallery by Matisse: Drawing with Scissors, a Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition from Southbank Centre. The French painter, sculptor and designer, Henri Matisse (1869-1954) was one of the 20th century’s most influential artists. His vibrant works are celebrated for their extraordinary richness and luminosity of colour and his spectacular paper cut-outs were his final triumph. The exhibition will feature 35 posthumous prints of the famous cut-outs that the artist produced in the last four years of his life, when confined to his bed. It includes many of his iconic images, such as The Snail and the Blue Nudes.

Rembrandt, Nude Man seated before a Curtain, 1646. © Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

Rembrandt, St Jerome seated beside a pollard Willow, 1648. © Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford