The master of light and shade

A great artist was once asked "Titian, why do you always paint pictures of naked ladies ?" "I do not want to do this" was the reply." I would prefer to paint landscapes, pastoral scenes and religious subjects. But it's my patrons. They are just a lot of dirty old men"

So today's subject - I gotta vary it you know - is high art. I have made many a trip to Amsterdam. And apart from window shopping -)) there was always a visit to the Rijksmuseum due to an affinity to one particular artist - Rembrandt. It was possible to sit for hours in front of one particular masterpiece. It was fascinating to watch the steady stream of visitors. Most know nothing about art and I, myself, do not confess to be an expert. But they come because it is there. It is a curiousity. As it was on my first visit. But I kind of fell in love with it and I wanted to learn a whole lot more about it and the artist.

The art of Rembrandt is the art of light and shade. Even if he painted a dark scene then you can always make out what is in the darkness. There is never too much light in his work - just enough so that you know what the subject is about.

Rembrandt painted many masterpieces. The one I talk about here is commonly known as "The Night Watch"

And so you wonder as you stumble across these words after a heady Saturday night what they have to do with this topic. It's a mesaage. A message for all artists that by all means paint your picture. But if you really want your patrons to appreciate the subject then you should follow the example, as above, of Rembrandt.

Then we can all appreciate "The Night Watch"