Rembrandt's painting'
' Hendrikje bathing in a River'
1654 oil on panel. (National Gallery London)
The sensuality of this painting and the intimacy it creates is exquisite. The fine brush strokes contrasting with the use of his heavy loaded knife, here used to describe the shift she is holding up. It conceals as it exposes, as does the hand, which is a mere suggestion; a mark, yet a hand. I read somewhere about the light of the soul being like Rembrandt's light. I can imagine why, that tawny , golden light for which his work is known. Rembrandt managed to create such profound complexity of presence through the subtle use of shadow. Creating a real sense of depth and substance on the figure on whom it shines. I remember the very moment I fell in awe of Rembrandt's work, I was 7 years old visiting the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam with my Aunt Liesbet who took me there. The scale of the Nightwatch, its darkness and the people in it, created a spell over me that is still tangible. I have a few favourites but on my studio wall hangs Hendrickje bathing. Truly masterful.
