Rembrandts Eyes – Simon Sharma

Reading this book is providing a valuable insight into the life and times and main influences of an artist whom I greatly admire. Having studied Art History in a previous module, I appreciate the broader picture of social, economic, religious, and technological factors that affect artists and their works. Simon Sharma certainly does not scrimp in this aspect, he starts off with an in-depth look at Rubens and this explains why he was so central to Rembrandt’s own development, his early rivalry with Jan Lievens, and the effects of the aftermath of the Reformation in Holland. The author gives a thorough explanation of process of artistic development for artists at this time, explaining the apprenticeship, the importance of Latin and Biblical knowledge – all key factors in Rembrandt’s own expression. The book has many illustrations and is very well researched. I have found this to be a fascinating source and will continue to use this in my further studies as I find Rembrandt a huge influence to my own artistic development.