In my previous post about Rembrandt http://allsortsartbyali.blogspot.com/2015/01/get-to-know-rembrandt.html , I mentioned his significance as a master of the Dutch Renaissance. But in researching Rembrandt, I found out a couple of things that I didn't know before:
1. "The Nightwatch", one of Rembrandt's most famous paintings, was not originally named "The Nightwatch", nor was it even set at night! Between 1640 - 1642, Rembrandt painted "The Militia Company of Captain Frans Banning Cocq", pictured above. But by the 18th century, the painting had become so caked with grime that people referred to it as "The Nightwatch" because, well, as you can see, it looks like soldiers on patrol in the dark of night. Imagine everyone's surprise after the painting was finally cleaned and revealed that it was set in broad daylight!
2. Rembrandt changed the spelling of his name, which was originally Rembrant. My spell check is displeased by this, but apparently it is true. Actually, many historical texts maintained the original spelling, even after he had been signing the new and improved version to his paintings for quite some time. The pronunciation was not changed, so it looks like Rembrant/Rembrandt was the original Barbara/Barbra Streisand. Just like buttah!
Image from Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rembrandt_-_The_Nightwatch_-_WGA19147.jpg
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Good to know. Thanks. I'll ask if I have some more questions.
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