The National Museum of Western Art 09:30
¥2,200, college students ¥1,300, high school students ¥1,000, younger children free
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.
