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.
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Art's Purpose
- Art can offer an edited, crystallized reality or embrace humanity's fullness.
- Rembrandt transfigures the mundane, expanding our perception of beauty.
Religious Expression
- Vermeer's religious works are allegorical, requiring decoding.
- Rembrandt's Christ is raw human pain, inviting believers to identify.
Brushwork as Lens vs. Substance
- Vermeer used his brush like a lens, influenced by the camera obscura.
- Rembrandt's brushstrokes are expressive, generating substance and exploring paint's potential.
