This week I want to start out my blog with Judith Leyster. She is one of very few female artists in the time of the Dutch Baroque, and seemed to be a strong and talented woman. She was one of only two female members of her artist's guild, the Guild of St. Luke. She actually sued one of her fellow-gild members for stealing her apprentice - and won! Her innovation at presenting female subjects in domestic settings when a time this was not yet popular made her an interesting and forward-thinking artist. I love this self-portrait of her.
Self-Protrait
Judith Leyster, 1630
Another self-portrait, although perhaps not one so flattering, is this one of Rembrandt. One thing that makes me wonder is why most artists are referred to by their last names, yet Rembrandt is called his first name? Hmmm ... could the fact that his full name was Rembrandt
Harmenszoon van Rijn have anything to do with it??
Hi! Was it Hals that she sued and won against? I think it is interesting that her self portrait looks a lot the nanny in the painting of Hals "Catharina Hooft", but an older Leyster.. It is interesting how Rembrandt aged so much between the self portrait you posted and the one he painted closer to his death that is in the book.
ReplyDeleteKimberlie
Yeah, I thought that it was strange too that Rembrandt is referred to by his first name. Did you watch that video on Night Watch? How awful that they CUT the painting! Also, it would be interesting to see some of Leyster's other work. Did you google her?
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