Rembrandt's work returns to Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - September 14, 2011 (WPVI) -- He's widely considered the greatest master painter of the Dutch golden age and, for the first time since 1932; Rembrandt's work is on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Called Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus, the exhibit is the first of its kind in Philadelphia, an in-depth look at the master's paintings, etchings, drawings and dry points. The works come from all over the world and some hung in Rembrandt's own bedroom in mid 1600s Holland.

Marla Shoemaker, Senior Curator of Education of the Philadelphia Museum of Art said, "Rembrandt is probably heralded as one of the greatest painters of Western European artistic tradition. He was incredibly able from a very young age and he was constantly challenging himself to break the mold, to try new things."

Rembrandt is the first painter ever to use a real life model when painting the face of Jesus, compelling viewers to see Jesus in a more human way, unlike any artist before him had done. An avid student of the Bible, much of his work was modest in scale and religious in theme.

"The way he was able to work with lines and make you think you see shapes and shades and emotions and feelings and light and dark is really, is really masterful," said Shoemaker.

Known as the great painter of light, Rembrandt is celebrated for his attention to detail and character development.

Shoemaker added, "And when you come to the exhibition, my challenge to you is to slow your pace down and really look at these characters and let them get under your skin because once they do, they'll be under there for a long time."

Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus is on exhibit through October 30th. For tickets, visit Phila. Museum of Art.

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