Follow "The Story of a Discovery" to gain a quick overview of the controversy surrounding Rembrandt scholarship. Or use the menu on the top for exploring the ideas in greater depth
The Story of a Discovery
Written by Nigel Konstam
Edited by Nancy Grossman-Telfer
Recently Rembrandt scholars have reduced the number of drawings and paintings that they accept as being by Rembrandt by between 50% and 70%. A massive change of opinion from scholars in the past. Why has this happened and where does the truth lie? I have studied this problem for over 35 years. I have come to the conclusion that we are dismissing works that are truly by Rembrandt because of a misunderstanding of his character as an artist.
Letter to Supporters - Join the Discussion on Facebook
Eminent Supporters of my Rembrandt Discoveries
While the art history establishment do their best to shut their eyes and undermine the evidence, several eminent supporters of my Rembrandt discoveries have made themselves known over the years including professors and art historians such as Prof. Sir Ernst Gombrich, journalists and editors such as Benedict Nicholson of The Burlington magazine. These discoveries are not the ramblings of an old man - they are plain truths that are too dangerous to too many careers to be allowed to discussed openly. Please explore this website and feel free to do your own research into the travesty that is the current state of Rembrandt scholarship today.
Videos:
PART I: Crude Fake attributed to Rembrandt (2 Minutes)
PART II: Genuine brilliant Rembrandt attributed to a Dull Student (2 minutes)
Adoration of the Shepherds YouTube video
The Unworthy Wedding Guest YouTube video
The Blindness of the Experts: Rembrandt and Bol
[RETIRED IN 2017] YouTube video challenging Sir Nicholas Serota's directorship of the Tate Gallery
DVD: Rembrandt - An Introduction
This Seven Chapter DVD Nigel Konstam reveals Rembrandt's working methods, creative process, interests and values. Nigel takes a critical look at how the Great Master has been reinvented by modern art scholars.
- Introduction - In which we see how scholars' expectations of genius lead to the loss of great works of art. Looking at style rather than human content misleads.
Introduction - The Deathbed of David - The Virgin and Child - Experiment and Change
Job - Rembrandt the Director - Imagination - Shows how what we admire in Rembrandt's work is observed from life, and what leads scholars to disqualify is made up
Isaac and Esau - Rembrandt Misunderstood - The Lion Hunt - Mirrors - The use of mirrors proves that Rembrandt did indeed draw from life and challenges present methods of dating works of art.
Musicians - Mummers - Two Drawings (Woman in North Holland Dress) - Many Drawings (Hagar series) - Conclusions - Christ Raising a Sick Woman - Rembrandt's interests and working method
- The Unworthy Wedding Guest - Rembrandt shows us the inner thoughts of his characters and his own creative process
- The Adoration of the Shepherds - Nigel Compares two oil paintings by Rembrandt - one of which has been deattributed and demonstrates that one is a mirror image of the other.
Nigel would like to make a TV documentary to make the position of Rembrandt scholarship better known. His DVD is available now free of charge to anyone interested in making the documentary. (Running time about 1 hour total). The DVD takes the arguments presented here much further. Nigel Konstam, the author and discoverer of the above is available for consultation or participation in the project.
LINKS: Rembrandt, Nigel Konstam, Mirrors, Modern Criticism, Adoration, The Deathbed of David , The Virgin and Child, Job and His Comforters, Isaac and Esau, Mummers, Hagar series, Museum of Artist's Secrets