Object Lessons

Rembrandt: The Consummate Etcher and Other 17th Century Printmakers

Rembrandt

Through Sunday, October 28, 2007

Lecture October 11, 12:30 p.m. in the Burt Chernow Galleries - Metropolitan Museum of Art lecturer Dahn Hiuni will discuss “The Golden Age of Dutch Painting,” examining the cultural, political and economic structure that gave rise to these works as well as the stylistic innovations of the artists themselves. More...

Film Showing October 11, 7:00 p.m.

Rembrandt: The Consummate Etcher and other 17th century Printmakers will be on view at the Housatonic Museum of Art beginning Thursday, September 6 and continuing through Sunday, October 28, 2007. The exhibition has been organized by Syracuse University culled from works from the University's art collection. An opening reception will be held Thursday, September 6 from 5:30 until 7pm. Admission is free and the public is cordially invited to attend.

Rembrandt, long considered one of the most important masters in western art history, created just under 300 etchings during his lifetime. According to scholar Kahren Jones Arbitman, "Rembrandt's unsurpassed mastery of the medium [is] apparent in his technical innovations and his stylistic advancements." She goes on to say, "Rembrandt's genius as an etcher lies in his recognition that this medium responds best to the light touch of a draftsman, not the heavy hand of a printmaker. Using the etching needle like a pencil or paintbrush, he created lines which spontaneously flowed across his plates."

Domenic J. Iacono, curator of the exhibition, has organized the show thematically-landscapes, genre, portraits, and religious subjects -so that viewers will learn how Rembrandt and his contemporaries approached these themes and adapted their media to the subjects.

Rembrandt's command of this medium, combined with his skill as an artist to convey the narrative of his subject or scenes (Biblical, mythical or historical), keeps every generation entranced by his work.

Gallery hours are Monday through Friday: 8:30am through 5:30 pm. Thursdays until 7pm

Saturdays 9 until 3pm and Sundays Noon until 4pm. (Closed weekends during the summer).


Press Release Archive

MET REMBRANDT EXHIBITION SUBJECT OF 10/11 HCC TALK

BRIDGEPORT- The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection of Dutch paintings, including 20 by Rembrandt, will be the subject of a presentation at the Housatonic Museum of Art October 11.

Using works selected from the collection, Met lecturer Dahn Hiuni will discuss “The Golden Age of Dutch Painting,” examining the cultural, political and economic structure that gave rise to these works as well as the stylistic innovations of the artists themselves.

“This is a fascinating period of art history in Holland,” Hiuni said, “and Rembrandt is at the heart of it.”

The lecture is part of a series of cultural events celebrating the diversity of the Greater Bridgeport area that have been scheduled in conjunction with the Oct. 12 inauguration of new HCC President Anita T. Gliniecki.

For the first time ever, the Met is exhibiting its entire collection of 228 Dutch paintings, including 20 works by Rembrandt. The collection, which will be on exhibit through Jan. 6, is considered to be the greatest collection of Dutch Art outside Europe.

Housatonic is also hosting an exhibit of Dutch art, including works of Rembrandt. That exhibit, which runs through October 28, was organized by Syracuse University, with works culled from its art collection.

The talk will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the Burt Chernow Galleries at the college. The event is free and open to the public.

Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 pm., Thursdays to 7 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sundays, Noon to 4 p.m.


BRIDGEPORT RESIDENT’S INNOVATIVE FILM TO BE SHOWN OCT 11 AT HCC

Dear Beautiful, an experimental animated film by Bridgeport filmmaker-painter Roland Becerra, will be shown October 11 at Housatonic Community College.

The film focuses on Paul and Lauren, a New Haven couple whose relationship is in trouble. Exotic flowers start springing up, spawning an epidemic that threatens to destroy the city.

Lauren becomes infected. As the city is engulfed with infected people, a media frenzy, National Guard troops, protesters, and a panicked populace, Paul struggles to save both their lives.

The film and accompanying reception is just one of numerous activities planned at the college Oct. 11 in connection with the Oct. 12 inauguration of new President Anita T. Gliniecki.

“The process I used in making the film combines both flash animation and stop-motion animation techniques,” Becerra said. “Backgrounds are hand painted and characters are drawn with ink.”

“Everything is then photographed and brought into the computer,” Becerra added. “Photographs of figures are also taken, then individually cut out and digitally altered in Photoshop to match the paintings and drawings.”

The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place at 7 p.m. in the Burt Chernow Galleries at the college. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 pm., Thursdays to 7 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sundays, Noon to 4 p.m.