Exhibition “Rembrandt – The Master of Light and Shadow”

Human emotions are revealed in the faces of biblical characters, children, the elderly, beggars, relatives, and anonymous figures. Common to all is the unmistakable strokes of the master of chiaroscuro. Rio de Janeiro will host a unique exhibition featuring 69 original prints by the Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669), considered one of the greatest artists of all time. The exhibition Rembrandt – The Master of Light and Shadow will be on display from September 24th to November 8th at Post Office Cultural Center, with free entry. Then it continues to Belo Horizonte and Vitória.

The public of Rio will be able to see works such as Self-Portrait with Saskia (1636), The Descent from the Cross (1633), Raising of Lazarus (1632), The Card Player (1641), Joseph's Robe Brought to Jacob (1633), The Flight into Egypt (1633) and Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple (1635). In the engravings, the artist mainly used etching, a technique that consists of drawing on a copper plate covered in ink, which is then exposed to acid to create the desired lines.

Rembrandt revolutionized art by combining impeccable technique with a unique sensitivity to capture the psychology and humanity of his subjects. He combined etching with drypoint, creating works of incomparable richness and depth. His prints are not mere illustrations: they are spaces of experimentation, in which the matrix is ​​reworked, altered, and printed in multiple layers, allowing us to follow the artist's restless creative process.

Throughout his career, Rembrandt left behind more than 300 paintings, 300 prints, and approximately 2 drawings, including self-portraits, landscapes, group portraits, and biblical scenes. His innovative use of light and shadow—a technique called chiaroscuro —influenced not only his contemporaries but also later artistic movements, from Impressionism to modern cinema. In each work, he explores inner emotion, spiritual bonds, and the mystery of human experience. His masterful use of light and shadow gives his etchings a dramatic intensity that makes them instantly recognizable.

"What makes Rembrandt timeless is his ability to capture the human soul. His works convey universal emotions and dilemmas, such as pain, faith, love, aging, and hope. Looking at one of his prints is like traversing the centuries and still finding relevance, humanity, and truth," explains Luca Baroni, curator of the exhibition and director of the Network of Museums of the Northern Marche Region, Italy.

Rembrandt – The Master of Light and Shadow arrives in Brazil through Premium Comunicação Integrada de Marketing, the company responsible for organizing seven art exhibitions in the country, including works by Leonardo da Vinci and Picasso. "To appreciate an original Rembrandt print is to be confronted with the history of humanity. It's to live an experience that was previously the privilege of those who visited museums in Europe. His presence in Brazil is, above all, a symbolic gesture. In a country marked by polarization and excessive noise, his art invites us to listen, to introspection, and to discover what truly matters," says Álvaro Moura, director of Premium.

One of the exhibition's main goals is to demonstrate that art isn't elitist. "Democratizing access to such important works allows children, young people, families, students, and the curious to experience one of the pillars of Western culture. By opening its doors to the public free of charge, the project reaffirms the idea that culture isn't a luxury, but a right and a collective necessity," adds Moura.

The exhibition at the Centro Cultural dos Correios also features accessibility features, including captions, sign language translations, and descriptions of social media posts. Rembrandt – The Master of Light and Shadow It features Braille signs at exhibition locations and a 3D self-portrait of the artist with tactile features.

Service
Exhibitions | Rembrandt – The master of light and shadow
From September 24nd to November 8th
TOpen to Saturday, from 10am to 18pm