“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace.”
The last line in Simon Schama’s epic book.
As Duncan Macmillan says in the Scotsman: Schama at his very best. He rises to Rembrandt’s level. In a few sentences …. he summarises how Rembrandt broke the chrysalis of classicism to release the butterfly of modern art …… The result is massive.
I’ve learned much in reading this deeply detailed book by the ‘engaged beholder’. It has given me the opportunity to reflect on the life of the great artist and his range of work. Particularly into his draughtsmanship and portraiture as he sought to ’embody’Â the ‘character’ of his subjects rather than describe them. Insights that will feed into my research plans. Â Thank you.
