Rembrandt exhibition under way

Jamie Morton | 23rd November 2009

Rembrandt etchings now showing at Aratoi Museum in Masterton are "a little Christmas present to the people of Masterton", says director Marcus Boroughs.

The exhibition Rembrandt - The Experimental Etcher, showcasing 20 works by the Dutch master, will show at Aratoi until January 17.

The works are drawn from a group of 56 prints from the Bishop Monrad collection held at Te Papa.

Bishop Ditlev Gothard Monrad was prime minister and a high-ranking churchman in Denmark but left his country following the Danish-Prussian war of 1864.

When he emigrated with his family to Manawatu in 1866 he brought with him a large library of books and works of art, including etchings and engravings by Rembrandt, Durer and Van Dyck.

Before returning to Denmark, Monrad generously donated his collection of 600 European prints to the New Zealand Government that became the founding collection of the National Art Gallery.

Featuring typical religious subjects, the exhibition also shows scenes of daily Amsterdam life and portraits including a self-portrait of Rembrandt.

Rembrandt, who lived from 1606 to 1669, is widely recognised as the greatest etcher in the history of the medium, and his etchings have always been famous and 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.

"The great thing about this exhibition is that it gives people the immediate opportunity to get up close and personal with one of his works," Mr Boroughs said.

"In terms of art history he really is still considered one of the masters. Now that we have these exquisite prints here, people won't have to leave Wairarapa to see them."

Mr Boroughs said Wairarapa wouldn't have been able to host the exhibition without a facility like Aratoi.

"We've had European art, and art of national significance, but in my history here we've never seen any of Rembrandt prints. I hope people take the opportunity to see them while they're here."

The exhibition will be on display in Aratoi's main gallery daily from 10am-4.30pm.