Rubens Versus Rembrandt

The two titans of Northern European art in the 17th century: the Flemish Rubens working in a mainly Catholic environment, the Dutch Rembrandt in a Protestant environment, in a Europe torn by wars of religion. Both were devoted husbands and fathers. Both were master storytellers of ancient mythology, history, and Bible heroes. Both were great portraitists. Both blazed new trails in landscape. Both spread their visual concepts all over Europe through the print media. And both Rubens and Rembrandt were prolific teachers who trained a new generation of artists. Both were deeply impacted by the Italian Renaissance, although Rembrandt never went to Italy. This class will begin with Rubens (1577-1640) and show how the young Rembrandt (1606-1669) emulated Rubens before striking out on his own distinctive path.