Status Updates From The Life and Times of Rembr...

I found some mildew on the old book, so I had to clean it before it contaminated my other books.

Michel de Montaigne, a Frenchman, and writer. Loon speaks of his lack of faith, but a belief. He said he may be able to believe "the wisdom contained in a single book, written by shepherds...", the Bible. He uses the name, Jehovah, as the Almighty. I was surprised at the use of the word "Bugaboo and ectoplastic". I need to check out the background of those words. Vocabulary.com says word is from 1800's.

The author meets Saskia, Rembrandt's mother. (self-portrait of Jan Van Loon) He was called a leech and only chosen as he was the closest doctor. A Pantagruel is mentioned, as well as Socrates. Places - Anthonie Slys, Anthonie Breestraat and Houtkeepers Gracht. Interesting names - what are they? The first meeting was interesting. Rembrandt was a large man, looking for like a laborer than artist.

The foreward by the Doctor was very interesting. It gives the layperson a peer into the hard life of people in that time period, no matter who you were. It is sad to continue to learn of so many famous and great artisans who died penniless, and the works were never recognized until long after their deaths.

I have had this book for years. I may have bought it at a library sale or thrift store. The beautiful, colorful cover is what caught my attention. That the book was about a famous artist was the second reason for purchasing. There are a few colored illustrations but most of Rembrandt's works are in black and white. The book's author was a friend of Rembrandt and a doctor, in Amsterdam, and was written in 1669.