Rembrandt showed an experiential attitude towards the etching process and is mentioned to have first reached Holland through port of Dutch. One of his most prominent drawings was that of “The raising of Lazarus” in the portraits of Amsterdam. Rembrandt was an artist who used paper to make productions with a known impression. Rembrandt had an introduction to etching by a commission from the publishers of Haarlem. This commission is also known to have employed Jan Lievens, who is known to be the first artist to share Rembrandt’s first studio of Leiden (Theodor, 71). This paper aims at discussing how Rembrandt uses the elements of emphasis and subordination to communicate his theme of Christian faith over non-belief. Further, it will explore other compositional elements to support this theme.
Rembrandt emphasizes on revelation and making things get obvious. This artist in his work considers the Bible to be supernaturally revealed and does not require the presence of God for people to believe. It is through his artwork that he reveals the presence of God without any need of an angel (Adorno, 67). A production that often reveals the presence of God is the “three crosses”. Collections of the artist’s work are as well inspirational and authoritative when it comes to communicating Christian faith. Such works emphasize on the existence of God even to the non-believers and are attractive to the eye.
Subordination has been evident in the work of Rembrandt by his humble beginnings. This artist began by working for the available companies before he was stable. Later, Rembrandt had to move higher with his artistic activities and could subordinate to low situations just to deliver his work. The artist’s artwork could later be seen, and the Christian faith gained favor even to the public with many people becoming religious. In supporting this theme, elements of the artist’s survival in order to reach to the people through painting shows emphasis and subordination in his work. Using several papers to paint from poor ones to good ones ensured Christian faith was communicated at all costs and levels.
Works Cited
Adorno, Theodor W. Aesthetic Theory. London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2013. Internet resource.
