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Rembrandt

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was born in Leiden on July 15th, 1606, he was the son of a miller. He began his studies at Latin School at the age of 14, however he was not interested in such studies and left to study art. He studied with famous artists such as Jacob van Swanenburch  and  Pieter Lastman. At the age of 22 he started to teach his own pupils.

In 1634 he married Saskia van Uylenburgh, she was the cousin of a successful art dealer. This put Rembrandt in contact with wealthy patrons. He was well know for his religious and spiritual paintings. 

Rembrandt bought his house at the age of 33, which turned out to be a tragedy because he lost his wife and three of his children there. He was later forced to sell the home. However, in 1911 the home was designated as the Rembrandt museum.

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn died on October 4th, 1669 in Amsterdam.

More information about Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn can be found at http://www.rembrandtpainting.net/rembrandt_life_and_work.htm

Rudy 2004: "Two Ravens"  Chester Arnold was born in ...

Rudy 2004: "Two Ravens"  Chester Arnold was born in ...: "'Two Ravens'  Chester Arnold was born in the United States in 1952, but raised in post-war Germany. He currently lives and works in..."

"Two Ravens"

     

    Chester Arnold was born in the United States in 1952, but raised in post-war Germany. He currently lives and works in Sonoma, California. Chester Arnold had his first exhibition at Catharine Clark Gallery in 2003. His compositions create perspectives of deep meaning; however, a painting may only consist of a simple rolled up ball of sod or a pile of trash. His art work is extremely detailed, revealing a sense of direction of man kind and actions resulting of the path were on. Other art works allows the observer to look within and acknowledge their day to day life and life journey through a learning prospective.

     "Two Ravens" an oil painting done by Chester Arnold in 1996, is about Earth no longer inhabited by human life; the result of self destruction and Mother Nature. I observed within this painting only two black ravens as the only life forms. Dark gloomy clouds, barren mountains with dead debris everywhere. The trees were dry with a dead and rotting texture presenting themselves lifeless and ready to fall down. In a world like this the possibility of habitation looks dismal as the terrain is unwalkable as far as the eye can see. My first impression was a depiction of the way things would be within the dark side of the spectrum where depression and evil may exist.

   I think the painting is about happiness. In reference to another Chester Arnold painting next to the "Two Ravens" within the art museum called "In Fate of Durable Goods" 1999. There are some good connections within this painting. Travelers traveled across the ocean in this small boat over loaded with material goods. Instead of throwing the materials over, they all sank to the bottom of the ocean because their possessions meant more to them. This parallels the idea that happiness can be bought, so rapping and pillaging the land for personal wealth and a false sense of happiness is a direction to destruction and strongly conveyed throughout many Chester Arnold paintings. 

   The idea to see hope and happiness is a personal connection. Even though the destruction is very evident for miles and miles, the green grass is trying to grow and the sun is shining through some breaks in the clouds. Real long lasting happiness is obtained and held within...not without. Happiness is a solid philosophy in life and can be found with awareness of yourself and surroundings even on a remote secluded island, tragic unexpected loss, or even incarceration. The "Two Ravens" painting allows us to see the path were on, but never locked into. We will continue to breath the air and clear the way for the green grass to grow. The Ravens will produce offspring and the dark clouds will break away for blue skies. Love can exist anywhere as strongly shown within this painting of the "two Ravens."