'Art and Movie' remembers Rembrandt

When museum visitors gaze at artwork on the walls of the IU Art Museum, they might not realize the works’ meanings go deeper than just the visual elements.

The purpose of the museum’s “Art and a Movie” events is to remind visitors that every artist has a background story and events that influenced each piece of their work.

The museum presented its first “Art and a Movie” event of the spring semester Sunday, focusing on Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn’s work.

Each event begins with a short lecture about the artist followed by a movie at the IU Cinema, in order to enhance participant’s knowledge of both the work and the artist.
The event began with a talk by Heidi M. Gealt, the museum’s director and curator of Western art before 1800.

The talk was free and open to the public.

“Heidi gave an insightful introduction into Rembrandt’s works and relationships,” Nan Brewer, curator of works on paper, said during the introduction before the screening.
After the lecture, participants walked to the cinema to watch Alexander Korda’s 1936 movie, “Rembrandt.”

The movie began at the height of Rembrandt’s reputation as a famous painter.
After his beloved wife Saskia died, Rembrandt’s fame began to falter, especially when he unveiled his famous painting, “Nightwatch.”

The men of the police force commissioned “Nightwatch” as a portrait showing their rank and nobility.

However, Rembrandt took the commission in his own creative direction after his wife passed away  and it was not received well. 

At the unveiling of the painting, the audience was shocked.

Rembrandt became the laughing-stock of the town.

The remaining portion of the movie followed Rembrandt’s journey through bankruptcy, as well as his relationship with his former maid, Hendrickje Stoffels.

“This event is kind of special,” attendee Haeryoung Ryu said. “I like the combination of art and a movie.”

Ryu said she decided to attend the event because she had heard of Rembrandt and his famous paintings but knew very little else about him.

The date of the next “Art and a Movie” event will be announced on the art museum’s website.

It will discuss the life and work of French artist Henri Matisse.

Follow Alison Graham on Twitter @AlisonGraham218.