So I’m back in Berlin and I took a return trip to my favorite of their many art museums: the Gemäldegalerie. I had company this time, so it was really great getting to gush over paintings with someone other than myself.
I’m not the biggest fan of Rembrandt. I mean, I appreciate his contribution to art history, painting, and the field of general awesomeness, but his work is really inconsistent in my eyes. I don’t know, it just feels like his ups are really up there and low points are super distinct, as well. (I’m talking more about portraits here, by the way.)
But this painting is different. I haven’t seen many of his historical/mythological works, the one that’s in Stockholm (The Conspiracy of Claudius Civilis) sticks out in my mind, so maybe I don’t have much to compare this to. However, I find it to be accessible, intimate, and full of drama and intensity. Seriously, the way that Artemis and Athena are pulling her gown and trying to reel her back in is phenomenal; you can clearly see the stark look of desperation on their faces (and Persephone’s, as well).
My picture doesn’t do it justice at all, so I recommend seeing it in person, whenever that may be. I think it’s safe to say that it will blow you away.
Rembrandt, The Rape of Persephone, 1631. Gemäldegalerie, Berlin.
(Source: smashingtoast)
