Old Masters wing
Vermeer: The Love Letter
Vermeer: Woman Reading a Letter
Vermeer: Little Street

Rembrant: The Syndics

Avercamp: Winter Landscape with Ice Skaters

Johannes Vermeer 1632-1675
The love letter

Rijksmuseum Amsterdam

Johannes Vermeer 1632-1675
Woman reading a letter

Rijksmuseum Amsterdam

Johannes Vermeer 1632-1675
The little street

Rijksmuseum Amsterdam

Rembrandt Harmensz. Van Rijn 1606-1669
The syndicate of drapers

Rijksmuseum Amsterdam

Rembrandt Harmensz. Van Rijn 1606-1669
The Jewish bride

Rijksmuseum Amsterdam

Hendrik Avercamp 1585-1634
Winter landscape with ice skaters

Rijksmuseum Amsterdam

The titling of this and indeed all Rembrandt's work is speculative and, in this case, questionable. According to one story, this painting was commissioned for a loving couple, but upon presentation was rejected for some reason. Was the hand a bit too intimate? Was the disparity in ages too evident? Fortunately, instead of following the practice of the time and correcting the painting, Rembrandt or his sponsors recognized the greatness of this painting and kept it.

This painting's rich detail has as much of interest in it as a feature-length movie. In this detail, a small group of nobility, outfitted in ruffs and furs, stand together on the ice, but cannot avoid being importuned by the beggar at left. In another intriguing detail (not shown) someone's bare bum shows through an outhouse door. You have to see the original to believe it...

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