Archive News
Rembrandt etchings come to Tauranga - 24 Aug 2009
Rembrandt - the Experimental Etcher showcases 20 etchings by Dutch artist, Rembrandt van Rijn, from the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
The works are drawn from a group of 56 prints from the Bishop Monrad collection, returned to Te Papa in 2007 from the Alexander Turnbull Library, where they have been held since 1923. Featuring typical religious subjects, the exhibition also shows scenes of daily Amsterdam life and portraits including a self-portrait of Rembrandt himself.
Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) is widely recognised as the greatest etcher in the history of the medium and his etchings have always been sought after by collectors. He produced about 300 etchings, often with the addition of drypoint and engraving. His prints were conceived and executed as independent works of art, not as reproductions of his paintings.
Bishop Ditlev Monrad (1811-1887) was prime minister and a high-ranking churchman in Denmark, but left his country due to his sense of responsibility for the defeat of Denmark in the Danish-Prussian war of 1864.
In 1866 Monrad and his family emigrated to New Zealand and purchased land at Karere in the Manawatu, bringing with them a collection of books and works of art, including etchings and engravings by Rembrandt, Durer and Van Dyck.
Bishop Monrad and his wife returned to Denmark after three years. Before returning, Monrad donated his collection of 600 European prints to the New Zealand government, which became the founding collection of the National Art Gallery (that amalgamated with the Dominion Museum to become Te Papa).
Victoria Robson, curator of European art at Te Papa, will give a floortalk on Rembrandt – The Experimental Etcher at 1pm, Saturday 12 September.
The exhibition will run until Sunday 18 October.
© 2009