Rembrandt

In this magnificently illustrated monograph, which includes 450 illustrations, 350 in color, Tumpel challenges all manner of misconceptions surrounding Rembrandt's life and art. For example, many critics maintain that by relegating some figures to the shadowy background of The Night Watch , his famous group portrait of the Musketeers Guild, Rembrandt forfeited his patrons' goodwill; but Tumpel, using new data and interpretations, rejects this story as a myth. The artist of mercy and forgiveness could be implacable and self-righteous. After a bitter legal feud with his ex-mistress Geertghe Dircx, he collected testimonies to incriminate her of disregarding the provisions of their contractual property settlement, had her thrown in jail and did his best to keep her there, though her friends secured her release after four years. This outstanding study contains a wealth of material on Rembrandt's apprenticeship, rivalries, relations with clients, his great etchings, history paintings and dozens of self-portraits as well as the rare landscapes and still lifes. (Jan.)