Saturday 18 October 2014

Late Rembrandt: reviews, crowds and reciprocal loans

Picture: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Reviews of the late Rembrandt show have been entertaining, if not always enlightening. "Rembrandt the Rotter" says the Daily Mail, telling us that his personal life was 'a mess'. The Daily Mail is a remarkable newspaper, nasty and vitriolic and without a shred of interest in being correct. It's known for the dominant role of its subeditors, who change things as they please without troubling themselves to check facts. They claim the Portrait of a Man with Arms Akimbo is coming up for auction (it's for sale at Frieze Masters) and repeat all kinds of speculative gossip about Rembrandt as fact. 

The Financial Times is the greatest newspaper in the world, but their review - by Simon Schama no less - is almost as bad. Schama talks about a self portrait in the show on loan from the Met dating two years after the Frick's of 1658. But that portrait, from the Altman bequest (pictured above), isn't in the show. There are other self portraits, including one from the National Gallery in Washington, but none dates from two years after the Frick's. Did Schama actually see the show before writing the review? He describes the layout carefully, almost as if protesting too much. I don't see how anyone who had seen the show could have made the error about the Met's self portrait. 

Schama says the Family from Braunschweig isn't in the exhibition, but it's actually a family portrait that's in the Braunschweig museum, not a portrait of a family from there. And it is in fact in the Amsterdam leg of the exhibition. He says the Claudius Civilis was 'mistakenly' hung at eye level, but there is no way that it could have been hung at the 'right' height in the NG's galleries. And I have actually seen it hung high at a special exhibition in Stockholm, and whilst you get some sense of the impact it would have had, you miss out on seeing Rembrandt's bravura handling of paint. I prefer it this way. And Schama laments the absence of Jeremias de Decker from the Hermitage, oddly describing it as 'the greatest of the late portraits'. That is an extraordinary view of a perfectly good but relatively minor late portrait. The obvious omission is rather Jan Six, the keystone portrait that inaugurates his late style and whose absence is especially noteworthy given that its loan to the exhibition was refused at the eleventh hour.

I've been a few times now. My first visit was late afternoon on Thursday when it was buzzing without being overwhelming. Friday evening's late opening is usually the quietest time, but it was absolutely heaving, as was Saturday morning. It's a radically different experience. You can see the prints and drawings, but the paintings can scarcely be appreciated when you have to shuffle along to see them a patch at a time. I know it's a familiar lament to be made about every blockbuster, but it shouldn't be forgotten. It's all very well the critics enthusing about the show they've seen, but most people get rather a different experience. 
Picture: National Gallery
A final gripe. To secure the loan of Jacob Blessing from Kassel, the NG has lent them Belshazzar's Feast (above). Instead of loans being agreed collegially on the basis of the exhibition's value, they are subject to undignified horse trading. It's bad enough that so many pictures are subject to the stresses and risks of travel for the exhibition itself; the risks are now doubled up with quid pro quo loans. Visitors to the NG who aren't paying through the nose for the overcrowded Rembrandt show not only lose the chance to see the NG's best late Rembrandts, they also miss out on a major earlier work. And Velazquez's Rokeby Venus is out at the same time - another cornerstone work that, with Belshazzar's Feast, ought never to be lent. 

As a minor compensation, the Dutch galleries are now showing a number of pictures usually in store, including some Frans Hals and a number of Rembrandt school works. I really like the Rembrandt gallery where the Trip portraits usually hang; the context of weaker pictures from Rembrandt's school and by his followers is welcome. Although I don't think the Old Man in an Armchair is by Rembrandt, it's a good picture that deserves to be shown more often. Best of all, there's a rediscovered Wtewael on loan, strengthening the relatively weak showing of Northern mannerism at the NG. 

18 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. $$$ GENUINE LOAN WITH LOW INTEREST RATE APPLY $$$
      Do you need finance to start up your own business or expand your business, Do you need funds to pay off your debt? We give out loan to interested individuals and company's who are seeking loan with good faith. Are you seriously in need of an urgent loan contact us.

      Email: reliableinvestmentcompany99@gmail.com

      Delete
  2. Excellent comments: I did not use the audioguide, the takeup suggests that visitors find them helpful, but they certainly contribute to crowd shuffling. On an early visit staff were stopping people from leaning on the cases contianing drawings and etchings, by last week they had given up.
    I'm sorry you found no words for the Minneapolis Lucretia, on of the world's finest pictures. .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A BIG THANK YOU EDWARD JONES LOANS {Jonesloanfinance@yahoo.com}

      Hi my names are Nathan MacDonald, i was really in financial difficulty which affected my life negatively and my company savings was seriously depleted and we needed help but no one could help us out even the company direct main bank could not even risk to help us because we were at bottom low. My life was a mess and my wife needed a devious, I almost went mad, then decided to look for one way or the other to revive my company but no one was willing to help until i got to know about a prestigious loan company Edward Jones Loan Finance, whom have helped a lot of aliening company in the past and assisted a lot of individual financial. So i decided to request for help and to my greatest surprise they were just as everybody were talking about. they helped me with my loan with a very low interest rate of 2% and now my life is back to normal and i still got back my wife and kids. Am very thankful with the help of Edward Jones Loan Finance and if you are looking for a way to get a loan for one means or an other , your best choice is Edward Jones Loan Finance and you can contact them via email : {Jonesloanfinance@yahoo.com} or Text +1(307) 241-3712

      Delete
  3. Do you need Personal Loan?
    Business Cash Loan?
    Unsecured Loan
    Fast and Simple Loan?
    Quick Application Process?
    Approvals within 24-72 Hours?
    No Hidden Fees Loan?
    Funding in less than 1 Week?
    Get unsecured working capital?
    Contact Us At :majidvijahlending@gmail.com

    LOAN SERVICES AVAILABLE INCLUDE:
    ================================
    *Commercial Loans.
    *Personal Loans.
    *Business Loans.
    *Investments Loans.
    *Development Loans.
    *Acquisition Loans .
    *Construction loans.
    *Business Loans And many More:

    LOAN APPLICATION FORM:
    =================
    Full Name:................
    Loan Amount Needed:.
    Purpose of loan:.......
    Loan Duration:..
    Gender:.............
    Marital status:....
    Location:..........
    Home Address:..
    City:............
    Country:......
    Phone:..........
    Mobile / Cell:....
    Occupation:......
    Monthly Income:....

    Contact Us At :majidvijahlending@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello Everybody,
    My name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of S$250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of S$250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.

    BORROWERS APPLICATION DETAILS


    1. Name Of Applicant in Full:……..
    2. Telephone Numbers:……….
    3. Address and Location:…….
    4. Amount in request………..
    5. Repayment Period:………..
    6. Purpose Of Loan………….
    7. country…………………
    8. phone…………………..
    9. occupation………………
    10.age/sex…………………
    11.Monthly Income…………..
    12.Email……………..

    Regards.
    Managements
    Email Kindly Contact: urgentloan22@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello Everybody,
    My name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of S$250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of S$250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.

    BORROWERS APPLICATION DETAILS


    1. Name Of Applicant in Full:……..
    2. Telephone Numbers:……….
    3. Address and Location:…….
    4. Amount in request………..
    5. Repayment Period:………..
    6. Purpose Of Loan………….
    7. country…………………
    8. phone…………………..
    9. occupation………………
    10.age/sex…………………
    11.Monthly Income…………..
    12.Email……………..

    Regards.
    Managements
    Email Kindly Contact: urgentloan22@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. $$$ GENUINE LOAN WITH LOW INTEREST RATE APPLY $$$
    Do you need finance to start up your own business or expand your business, Do you need funds to pay off your debt? We give out loan to interested individuals and company's who are seeking loan with good faith. Are you seriously in need of an urgent loan contact us.

    Email: reliableinvestmentcompany99@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello Everybody,
    My name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of S$250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of S$250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.

    BORROWERS APPLICATION DETAILS


    1. Name Of Applicant in Full:……..
    2. Telephone Numbers:……….
    3. Address and Location:…….
    4. Amount in request………..
    5. Repayment Period:………..
    6. Purpose Of Loan………….
    7. country…………………
    8. phone…………………..
    9. occupation………………
    10.age/sex…………………
    11.Monthly Income…………..
    12.Email……………..

    Regards.
    Managements
    Email Kindly Contact: urgentloan22@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. EDWARD JONES FINANCE IS THE BEST PLACE TO GET A LOAN {Jonesloanfinance@yahoo.com} Text +1(307) 241-3712,
    God bless you sir, I will not stop telling the world about your kindness in my life, I am a single mum with kids to look after. My name is Emily Thomas and I am from Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL . A couple of weeks ago My friend visited me and along our discussion she told me about EDWARD JONES FINANCE, that they can help me out of my financial situation, I never believed cause I have spend so much money on different loan lenders who did nothing other than running away with my money. I have been in a financial mess for the pass 7 months now, She advised I give it a try so I mailed him and explain all about my financial situation to him, he therefore took me through the loan process and gave me a loan of $390,000.00 at a very low interest rate of 2% and today I am a proud business owner and can now take good care of my kids, If you must contact any firm to get any amount of loan you need with a low interest rate of 2% and better repayment schedule, please contact EDWARD JONES FINANCE email:- {Jonesloanfinance@yahoo.com} OR Text +1(307) 241-3712 or go to there page on jonesloans.bravesites.com

    ReplyDelete



  9. Do you need personal loan? Does your firm,company or industry need financial assistance? Do you need finance to start your business? Do you need finance to expand your business? We give out loan to interested individuals who are seeking loan with good faith. Are you seriously in need of an urgent loan contact us at Email: flourishloancredite@gmail.com
    APPLICATION DETAILS
    Your Full Details:
    Full Name:
    Loan Amount Need:
    Loan Duration:
    Phone Number:
    Applied before?
    State:
    Monthly Income:
    Country:
    You are to send this to our Company Email;flourishloancredite@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Are you in need of a loan? Do you want to pay off your bills? Do you want to be financially stable? All you have to do is to contact us for more information on how to get started and get the loan you desire. This offer is open to all that will be able to repay back in due time. Note-that repayment time frame is negotiable and at interest rate of 3% just email us creditloan11@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hello Every One,
    My Name is Mrs. Janice Brown , I live in California USA and life is worth living comfortably for me and my family now and i really have never seen goodness shown to me this much in my life as i am a happy mum with a beautiful daughter and i have been going through a serious problem as my husband encountered a terrible accident last two weeks, and the doctors states that he needs to undergo a delicate surgery for him to be able to walk again and i could not afford the bill for his surgery then i went to the bank for a loan and they turn me down stating that i have no credit card, from there i run to my father and he was not able to help, then when i was browsing through yahoo answers and i came across a loan company ADRIAN FINANCE FIRM who provides loans at an affordable interest rate and i have been hearing about so many scams on the Internet but at this my desperate situation, I had no choice than to give it an attempt and surprisingly it was all like a dream, I received a loan of $56,000 USD and i payed for my husband surgery and thank God today he is okay and can walk and he's working and the burden is no longer on me any more. And we can feed well and my family is happy today and i said to my self that i will shout aloud to the world the wonders of God to me through the God fearing loan company and i will advise anyone in genuine and serious need of quick and affordable loan to contact the loan company ADRIAN FINANCE FIRM through their website http://adrianfinancefirm.bravesites.com OR via emails adrianfinancefirm@yahoo.com , adrianfinancefirm@hotmail.com. So you can put a end to your financial crises.

    Mrs. Janice Brown...

    ReplyDelete
  12. Get THE 2017 BLANK ATM Programmed Card and cash money directly in any ATM Machine around you. There is no risk of being caught, because the card has been programmed in such a way that it´s not traceable, it also has a technique that makes it impossible for the CCTV to detect you and you can only withdraw a total amount of $5,000.00 USD in a day. Now email us today at our E-mail address at: Atmcardcashmachine@gmail.com and get your card today and live that luxury life you every dream to live.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hello Every One, I am mrs Anne Wilson From Alaska U.S.A, I
    quickly want to
    use this medium to share a testimony on how God directed me to
    a Legit and
    real loan lender who have transformed my life from grass to
    grace, from
    being poor to a rich woman who can now boast of a healthy and
    wealthy life
    without stress or financial difficulties. After so many months of
    trying to
    get a loan on the internet and was scammed the sum of $4,600 i
    became so
    desperate in getting a loan from a legit loan lender online who will
    not
    add to my pains, then i decided to contact a friend of mine who
    recently
    got a loan online, we discussed about the issue and to our
    conclusion she
    told me about a woman called Mrs Lovene Wright who is the C.E.O of
    Lovene finance firm (USA)
    Loans So i applied for a loan sum of (60,000.00USD) with low
    interest rate
    of 2%, so the loan was approved easily without stress and all the
    preparations where made concerning the loan transfer and in less
    than
    two(2) days the loan was deposited into my bank so i want to
    advice any one
    i need of a loan to quickly contact her via: (
    lovenefinancefirm638@yahoo.com) or call them on +18168655025
    she does not know am doing this i pray that God will bless her for
    the good
    thing she has done in my life.

    ReplyDelete
  14. A BIG THANK YOU EDWARD JONES LOANS {Jonesloanfinance@yahoo.com}

    Hi my names are Nathan MacDonald, i was really in financial difficulty which affected my life negatively and my company savings was seriously depleted and we needed help but no one could help us out even the company direct main bank could not even risk to help us because we were at bottom low. My life was a mess and my wife needed a devious, I almost went mad, then decided to look for one way or the other to revive my company but no one was willing to help until i got to know about a prestigious loan company Edward Jones Loan Finance, whom have helped a lot of aliening company in the past and assisted a lot of individual financial. So i decided to request for help and to my greatest surprise they were just as everybody were talking about. they helped me with my loan with a very low interest rate of 2% and now my life is back to normal and i still got back my wife and kids. Am very thankful with the help of Edward Jones Loan Finance and if you are looking for a way to get a loan for one means or an other , your best choice is Edward Jones Loan Finance and you can contact them via email : {Jonesloanfinance@yahoo.com} or Text +1(307) 241-3712

    ReplyDelete
  15. We offer personal loans up to $100,000, Are you looking for a business loan and have been denied by a bank, we can help with loans from $5,000 to the maximum amount $100,000* that can help you rebuild your business and get you back ^, We can put you on a path towards a better financial future.

    Just in time, you can apply in minutes and get your cash the same day.


    Don't delay! email us via mail. { samsulalamcashfirm@gmail.com } or visit us at one of our 200+ locations across the would to see how we can help.

    Thanks for contacting us,

    Warm regards
    Mr.Samsul Alam
    samsulalamcashfirm
    samsulalamcashfirm@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I’m Hall Ramirez by name, i want to use this medium to alert all loan seekers to be very careful because there are scammers everywhere.Few months ago I was financially strained, and due to my desperation I was scammed by several online lenders. I had almost lost hope until a friend of mine referred me to a very reliable lender called lynn trust ( A God fearing woman) who lend me a loan of $65,000.00 under 72 working hours without any stress. I explain to the company by mail and all they told me was to cry no more because i will get my loan in their company and also i have made the right choice of contacting them i filled the loan application form and proceeded with all that was requested of me and to my shock I was given the loan,and i promise to share this without them knowing, If you are in need of any kind of loan just contact now via: lynntrustloancompany@gmail.com, I‘m using this medium to alert all loan seekers because of the hell I passed through in the hands of those fraudulent lenders.She is kind hearten.(lynntrustloancompany@gmail.com).

    ReplyDelete