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Striking a historical chord

Mandira Nayar

MEMORIES: The forthcoming exhibition of Rembrandt Harmenszoon Van Rijn showcases the painter's Mughal connection

NEW DELHI: The Mughal imprint might have spread far and wide, but this is one connection that has remained hidden so far. And it links Shah Jahan -- the man known for his obsession with symmetry -- and the master painter Rembrandt Harmenszoon Van Rijn through art.

Focussing on Rembrandt's oriental influences to commemorate his 400th birth anniversary, the Royal Netherlands Embassy is giving Delhiites a special gift. With reproductions of painting, drawings and etchings by the master, this exhibition being held at the National Museum will be a rare treat.

Apart from actually getting to see Rembrandt reproductions at the exhibition, there will also be a lecture by a well-known expert on the painter Taco Dibbits, curator of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Dr. Dibbits will deliver three lectures on "Rembrandt -- Holland's most international artist never went abroad''. While he was known for his use of colour, Dr. Dibbits will not concentrate on his techniques as much as the oriental influence his paintings and drawings had. And the best example is his drawings after Indian miniature of the Mughal emperor Jahangir and Shah Jahan, which he must have seen and collected. In the 1656 inventory of Rembrandt's possession an "album of curious miniatures as well as various wood and copper prints of all sorts of costumes'' were found. This album contained prints of figures in different costumes."I am sure that this lecture and the exhibition in Delhi and Vadodara will be well-received and successful. Dr. Dibbits is a recognised expert in his field. Reproductions of Rembrandt's work definitely strike a chord with the Indian audience. I have seen that Rembrandt is not only of interest for art historians, but is also a source of inspiration for modern Indian painters,'' the Netherlands Ambassador, Eric F. Ch Niehe, said.

The exhibition opens here on December 16.

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