Intelligence Squared

The Sunday Debate: Rembrandt vs Vermeer

Dec 19, 2021

Join historian Simon Schama and novelist Tracey Chevalier as they passionately debate two titans of Dutch art: Rembrandt and Vermeer. Schama argues for Rembrandt’s raw emotional humanity and societal depth, while Chevalier admires Vermeer’s enchanting, dreamlike scenes. They dive into their contrasting artistic philosophies, exploring how personal struggles influenced Rembrandt's emotive works, compared to Vermeer’s magical compositions. The conversation extends to the significance of spirituality in their art and their legacies that continue to inspire.

01:04:26

Episode guests

Tracy Chevalier

Sir Simon Schama

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

Contrasting Visions: Vermeer and Rembrandt

18min

Contrasting Masters: Rembrandt vs. Vermeer

7min

Artistic Confluence: Viewing Rembrandt and Vermeer Together

2min

A Comparative Exploration of Rembrandt and Vermeer

5min

A Tale of Two Masters: Vermeer and Rembrandt

27min

Contrasting Visions of Spirituality in Art

3min

We compare the works of two of the greatest painters of the Dutch Golden Age: Rembrandt and Vermeer. Making the case for Rembrandt van Rijn in this debate was historian, author and broadcaster Simon Schama. For Schama, Rembrandt's works are raw humanity personified with formal beauty being the least of the painter's concerns. Novelist Tracy Chevalier, however, champions Johannes Vermeer. She claims that the artist's charm lies in the very fact that he absents himself from his paintings and as a result they are less didactic and more magical.

The debate was chaired by art historian, writer and museum director, Tim Marlow.

For a list of works referenced in this debate, along with links to each, please go to:

https://intelligencesquared.com/events/rembrandt-vs-vermeer-titans-of-dutch-painting-simon-schama-tracy-chevalier/

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