The exhibition features 36 rare etchings by Harmensz van Rijn Rembrandt (1606-1669) executed between 1629 and 1654. Widely recognized as the greatest practitioner of the etching technique in the history of art, Rembrandt created 300 prints that constitute a body of work unparalleled in richness and beauty. 2006, is the anniversary of Rembrandt’s 400th birthday. Rembrandt repeatedly chose beggars as the subject for his etchings. Dutch author, art historian, and editor of THE COMPLETE ETCHINGS OF REMBRANDT,Dover Publications, NY, 1994, Gary Schwartz, in his essay for the exhibition catalogue, writes “The image of the beggar in Netherlandish art was no better than in society as a whole. It would not then have been out of line with the convictions of his society, with Netherlandish artistic tradition or classical art theory, had Rembrandt depicted beggars as contemptible or loathsome creatures. Indeed, some of his work fits perfectly well into.”
Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website