A Moment of Decision Portrayed by Rembrandt

For me, it was a no-brainer to choose Rembrandt as the painter for this museum report. Ever since I first encountered his artwork on the prodigal son and reflected on his life story, I realized that there was something special in him. Not just from an artistic perspective, even though he is one of the most famous artists of all time, but because of his story. He started to paint early in his life, had great masters, and above all talent and ambition. Fame came to him in his early 20’s. He built his way up until he reached the peak of his career with The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp in 1632 and The Night Watch painting in 1642. He had become famous for his mastery of the chiaroscuro technique, his psychological representation in portraits, and his realism. As a baroque painter, Rembrandt showed his mastery by portraying the characteristics of this era while also giving a touch of his style. A couple of years later his career took a downfall and he suffered in his personal life. He declared bankruptcy in 1656 with his wife Saskia having died a couple of years before and his son Titus dying soon after. Also, by the end of his career he experienced great isolation from the artistic world, spent the last couple of years in a humble establishment, and died lonely, having lost all that he once came to enjoy.

Rembrandt was someone who experienced success but also great misery in his lifetime, and that makes him an interesting figure. Being an artist, he could express everything that he lived in his art for the centuries to come. He was someone who didn’t restrict himself to simply getting a painting done, but he would dedicate whatever effort was needed to make it great. This is seen especially in the amount of depth that his works carry whether it was religious, mythological, or casual, it always has more to say than just the exterior of it. For example, in this commission, Rembrandt was asked to paint a philosopher. In doing so he represents two of the greatest figures in the Western tradition, Aristotle and Homer. However, this is not just a simple portrait painting. It shows a successful philosopher in conflict. With one hand he is holding the bust of Homer, in the representation of his long lasting legacy and virtuous portrayal of life. After all, he set the literary foundation not only for ancient Greece but for all literature to come. Aristotle, having lived centuries later, could have seen Homer as a father figure, whose influence was invaluable for his own humanistic development. With the other hand, he holds a gold chain that hangs across his body. This chain has the face of Alexander the Great and represents his worldly success and wealth. The conflict lies in the fact that he must make a choice, whether to strive for the virtues life proposed by Homer or stay in the comfort of his earthly success.

The face says it all, while he is looking at Homer, he is definitely holding back due to his fidgeting with the chain. Only time can tell what this philosopher will choose but more than that Rembrandt wants you to ask the question, what will you choose? This is a question that we must all ask ourselves, one that does not come easy. After all, is like Alexander Solzhenitsyn said in his famous book, The Gulag Archipelago:

Gradually it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either — but right through every human heart — and through all human hearts. This line shifts. Inside us, it oscillates with the years. And even within hearts overwhelmed by evil, one small bridgehead of good is retained. And even in the best of all hearts, there remains … an uprooted small corner of evil. Since then I have come to understand the truth of all the religions of the world: They struggle with the evil inside a human being (inside every human being). It is impossible to expel evil from the world in its entirety, but it is possible to constrict it within each person.

From a Catholic perspective, we find ourselves in this painting in our struggle against sin. We just have to change the bust of Homer for that of Jesus and the gold chain to our attachments. That specific attachment that does not allow us to follow Christ completely. Like the rich young man from the gospel that had too many possessions. In this moment of conflict within ourselves we know what is best for us, but our will hangs tied to what brings instant gratification. This attachment could be that sin which we confess all the time, that sin that hits us in our weakest part, our dominant defect. Situations like this lead us to discover in ourselves the thin line of good and evil where we must constantly choose to live as a saint or as a sinner. It is a manifestation of the brokenness of sin in our heart. So what would it be, virtue or earthly riches? As well as with Aristotle, only time will tell which one you chose to live by.