Rembrandt

Through many self-identifications with other people – especially artists – I’ve always come back to Rembrandt as one of the finest. Not so much for his immense talent – all my heroes have had talent way beyond my own – as for his immersion in a life filled with ups and downs .

I mostly enjoy the way all of his sketches – and how many of them there are! – live and breathe. Each capturing a moment, as often as not seemingly just for the fun of it. No grand idea of using them later – just pick up a pen or brush and engage.

Oh, it’s a grand conceit. But I like reviewing his life with all its disappointments and hardships, its occasional triumphs. Follow the posthumous evaluation of his major and minor works, right up to the current near deification after for a while being almost trash compared to all those Italians and later French .

Each of us can choose whom we admire, living or dead. Whether or not we are much like them. Pick appropriate characteristics to emulate (even though we may often be wrong objectively).

I find that Rembrandt is one of the few totems with whom I can easily reestablish a resonance. A fresh breath of air whenever my own spirit rises too high or sinks too low .