20 etchings and engravings by Rembrandt on view at the San Diego Museum of Art

SAN DIEGO, CA.-The San Diego Museum of Art is presenting the extraordinary artistic accomplishment of Rembrandt and 17th-century painters and printmakers from the Dutch Republic in Rembrandt and Printmaking in the Netherlands, an exhibition including approximately 20 etchings and engravings by Rembrandt from the Museum’s permanent collection and on loan from the important Rembrandt collection of the University of San Diego (USD). The exhibition is now on view at The San Diego Museum of Art through January 3, 2021.

Unlike contemporaries, Rembrandt’s etchings were not reproductive of his paintings and are considered individual masterpieces. Rembrandt was among the greatest innovators in the history of art, producing masterpieces of painting, draftsmanship and printmaking. Some of the works have never been seen before publicly while others have been in dark storage for the last two decades, presenting a unique opportunity for visitors to view these special etchings. Notable works include The Descent from the Cross (ca. 1650–52) and Rembrandt’s Mother with Her Hand on Her Chest: Small Bust (1631).

In his best-known etching, Self-portrait, Etching at a Window (1648), Rembrandt shows himself at work—holding a drypoint needle, which he is using to add details to an etched copper plate. His signature hanging in the window is done with this delicate tool. While he continued to paint self-portraits through his career, this was the first in a decade in etching, and is currently on view in the exhibition.

In addition to the unique etchings by Rembrandt featured inside the exhibition, the Museum also will have on view in the Fitch Gallery a masterpiece loan from the Rijksmuseum, an extraordinary oil on canvas by Rembrandt painted around 1628 when the artist was only 21 or 22. Rembrandt was a dedicated self-portraitist and roughly 40 of his self-portraits exist today, allowing the changes in his appearance throughout the years to be read biographically. This work will be on view beginning mid-October.

The San Diego Museum of Art is currently open to visitors following a closure since March 14 due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. To ensure the health and well-being of its visitors and following the City of San Diego’s guidance, the Museum will operate at a reduced visitor capacity and has implemented new safety protocols. All staff and visitors will be required to wear face masks, follow physical distancing measures and pass a non-invasive temperature screening to gain entry into the Museum.