Self-Portrait (1660) of Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) Age 54 Bankrupt

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669)
Self-Portrait (1660, Age 54)
Bankrupt

From Wikipedia: "His self-portraits form a unique and intimate biography,
in which the artist surveyed himself without vanity and with the utmost sincerity."

The lesson here » Just because you're bankrupt, and aristocratic patrons neglect you (undeservedly),
doesnt mean that you're not one of the greatest artists to ever pick up a brush.
In history. Ever. Do you think he knew it? (How could he not?)

In 2009, a Rembrandt sold at Christie's in London for US_$33.2 million.
In 2000, another Rembrandt sold for US_$28.6 million.

From Wikipedia » "He is generally considered one of the greatest painters
and printmakers in European art..."

Posted July 15, 2013 (on Rembrandt's 407th birthday).
I kept the image larger than normal (626x756, 169-KB), so you could look deeply into his eye.
What do you see there? Look closely.

I like Rembrandt because his paintings give you "psychological depth" ..
.. just like Dostoevsky does in literature.

Update 16 April 2015 » On the subject of Rembrandt self-portraits,
Nina wrote a piece at the NY Times tilted » With Rembrandt, the Selfie Takes On New Meaning

She has written an entire book about Rembrandt painting a self-portrait. How clever.
It seems like one of those stories that you could easily fall in to.

Notice that I posted this page in » July, 2013
Notice also that Nina's book was published » December 2014.

My ego is convinced that she got her idea for the story from reading this page.
If you see Nina out-n-about, ask her (nonchalantly) how long it took to write her book.

Artistic Aspirations

I have never told anyone this .. but my artistic aspirations are to mesh and meld
the literary skills of Dostoevsky with the visual skills of Rembrandt.
In that they both speak to the psychological component.

I mean, we tend to aspire to that which we most admire and respect, no?
I dont think I am alone here, in my aspiration.

Then I aim to bring my own skill set and do what only I can do.
Using tools we have here in the twenty-first century.
In the Third Millenium

Tools that continue to evolve and develop even as we try to master them.

It is true that I cannot paint worth a shit.
But digital technology allows me to capture any graphic image I might find.
And manipulate it however I see fit.
And use it myself in my creation.

And to distribe it in a global public domain, which continues to grow.

I continue to explore and experiment with the technology.
But one significant advantage to digital technology ..

.. is that it allows you to CONTINUE to modify (edit) your creation
.. along an e.x.t.e.n.d.e.d portion of the time continuum.

My writing tends to include the contemporary.
Which can take on a zeitgeisty glow if done right.

As your knowledge grows and your skills develop.
And as you add new skills and new techniques.
As you continue to hone your craft. Your art. Your gift.

These feel like esoteric things I am mentioning here.
But as we elaborate, often the esoteric comes into better focus.
And becomes less esoteric.

This painting is included as part of my Totally Rad Quotes.
You will notice that my entries make much use of graphic images.

So it only seems fitting that I include this painting as one of my "quotes".
I actually have a story to go with this .. the complementing of my text with representative images.

Remind me to tell you that story.
It's a somewhat radioactive story.

 

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