The National Museum of Western Art

The National Museum of Western Art’s ‘Artists by Artists in Western Prints’ explores how artists have portrayed themselves (and one another) through the medium of printmaking from the Renaissance to the modern era. Featuring nearly 50 works drawn primarily from the museum’s collection, the exhibition traces the historical evolution of the artist’s image in Western art. During the Middle Ages, creators were largely regarded as anonymous craftsmen, and their likenesses rarely appeared in the works they produced. From the 16th century onward, however, artists began to assert a new identity, aligning artistic creation with intellectual inquiry and positioning themselves as practitioners of the liberal arts. As their social status rose, so too did interest in the individual artist, giving rise to the flourishing tradition of the self-portrait. The exhibition includes prints by major figures such as Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt van Rijn, Francisco Goya and Pablo Picasso. Alongside self-portraits, you’ll encounter images of artists at work and idealised representations of the creative figure. Together, these diverse images offer a compelling reflection on how the notion of the artist has evolved, from skilled artisan to solitary, introspective creator, while inviting viewers to reconsider the enduring relationship between identity, creativity and self-expression.

Alongside the rise of humanism, classical mythology regained prominence in 15th- and 16th-century Italy. Stories of ancient gods and heroes were no longer viewed as relics of the past, but were reinterpreted as allegories conveying moral, philosophical and political meanings. As copperplate printing spread across the country, sophisticated images illustrating these tales circulated widely among educated audiences, helping to shape the visual language of court culture. The National Museum of Western Art’s ‘Myth, Allegory, and Celebration: Print Works and the Courts of Italy from the Renaissance to the Baroque’ explores the rich visual culture that flourished in the courts of Renaissance and Baroque Italy. Showcasing approximately 50 prints from the museum’s collection, the exhibition examines how mythology, allegory and public spectacle became intertwined within the intellectual and political life of the period. ‘Myth, Allegory, and Celebration’ also highlights decorative prints used as models for artists and craftsmen, revealing the role of printmaking in disseminating artistic ideas across regions. Particular attention is given to prints documenting court festivities, especially those of Medici Florence, where mythological imagery, heraldic symbols and elaborate celebrations projected political authority and cultural prestige.  Through these remarkable works, visitors are invited to discover how printmaking served as a powerful instrument for shaping identity, memory and...

Revered for his ability to capture the human condition in all its complexity, Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669), the Dutch master whose genius extended across painting, drawing and printmaking, revolutionised the medium of etching, transforming it into a vehicle of artistic expression equal to painting. The Leiden native’s mastery of light, shadow and texture, combined with a deep empathy for his subjects, continues to define the essence of the Baroque spirit. The National Museum of Western Art’s ‘Rembrandt the Etcher: His Challenges and His Impact’ – a special exhibition co-organised with the Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam – brings together two notable collections. It traces Rembrandt’s relentless experimentation with etching techniques, revealing how he expanded the expressive potential of printmaking. The exhibition’s second half explores Rembrandt’s enduring influence on later generations of artists, from Goya and Whistler to Matisse, who rediscovered his innovations centuries later. Featuring artworks as well as rare books and drawings, the display celebrates the timeless impact of Rembrandt’s art and his transformative vision as a printmaker.