Davenport, Iowa (September 29, 2016) – Opening Saturday, October 8 in the second floor Katz Gallery at the Figge Art Museum is Rembrandt and the Jews: The Berger Print Collection.
The exhibition features a collection of 22 etchings by the Dutch master that explore the relationship between the artist and the Jewish residents of Amsterdam. Rembrandt lived in Amsterdam’s prosperous Jewish neighborhood, where he found patrons and models for his work. In his interpretation of Protestant Old Testament narratives, Rembrandt consulted Jewish theologians for a varied perspective of these familiar subjects. He also painted and etched portraits of prominent Jews in the city.
As a companion to the exhibition, additional prints by Rembrandt, Anthony van Dyck, Albrecht Dürer and other artists drawn from the collections of the Figge, the University of Iowa Museum of Art, Augustana Teaching Museum of Art and artifacts from the Pella Historical Society and Museums, will be on view. The exhibition will explore Rembrandt’s printmaking process and the technical and formal innovations that Rembrandt brought to the traditional medium of etching.
Rembrandt and the Jews is organized by the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art at Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California. The presentation of the exhibition at the Figge is made possible through the support of the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, Jeff and Lynda Eirinberg and Dr. Ralph Saintfort of Medical Psychiatry Services, LLC.
Companion Events:
Thursday, October 13
5:30 p.m. Opening Reception & Gallery Talk
7 p.m. Gallery Talk
Celebrate the exhibition’s opening with an introduction and informal gallery tour given by Figge Executive Director Tim Schiffer and Curatorial Assistant Vanessa Brown. Louis W.M. Piët, Consul General of the Kingdom of The Netherlands, will also say a few words.
Thursday, November 3
7 p.m. Curator Talk: Lisa DeBoer, PhD
Dr. Lisa DeBoer Professor of the History of Art at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, will give a talk entitled: “Rembrandt’s Jews in Context.”
Thursday, November 10
7 p.m. Gallery Talk: Katie Kiley
Artist and printmaker Katie Kiley will share her research on Rembrandt and experience with printmaking techniques as she leads audience members on a gallery tour of the exhibition.
Thursday, November 17
6 p.m. Friends of the Figge Event: Print Demonstration
Join artist and printmaker Katie Kiley in Studio 4 for an intaglio print demonstration. Those who wish to participate should wear painting togs. All Friends level members and above are invited to attend. To become a Friends level member ($125 or above) or to RSVP, contact Sara Morby at 563.345.6642 or smorby@figgeartmuseum.org.
Exhibition Tours
Free with membership or paid admission
1:30 p.m. Saturday, October 15 & November 12
1:30 p.m. Sunday, October 16 & November13
Free Family Day
Saturday, December 10
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Scheduled Activities
Enjoy free admission all day, with special activities relating to current exhibitions.
About the Figge Art Museum:
The Figge Art Museum is located on the riverfront in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. Thursdays the museum is open until 9 p.m. Admission to the museum and tour is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and students with ID and $4 children ages 4-12. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members, and free to all on Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Figge Café is open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit www.figgeartmuseum.org.
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