Aert de Gelder (1645–1727) was a Dutch Golden Age painter and the last and most loyal student of Rembrandt van Rijn. He worked almost exclusively in his birthplace of Dordrecht. While the Amsterdam art world moved toward a smooth, French-influenced classicism, De Gelder remained committed to the thick brushwork, dramatic lighting, and deep emotional sincerity of his master's late style, becoming a unique link between the Golden Age and the 18th century.
Early Life and Style
De Gelder traveled to Amsterdam around 1661 to study with Rembrandt, remaining with him until 1667. Unlike Rembrandt's earlier students (like Bol and Flinck) who adjusted their style to meet market demands, De Gelder remained steadfastly devoted to Rembrandt's final manner. He continued to paint in this style for decades after Rembrandt's death.
Style and Subject Matter
De Gelder's art is characterized by its dramatic technique, expressive faces, and often archaic appearance.
Late Rembrandt Style: His most defining feature is his adoption of Rembrandt's late technique: thick, visible brushstrokes (impasto), which are applied rapidly and expressively to create texture, particularly in clothing and beard hair. This technique gives his canvases a vibrant, almost tactile surface.
Biblical and Narrative Scenes: De Gelder was primarily a painter of Biblical and historical narratives. He often chose unusual or emotionally intense moments, painting his figures in elaborate, theatrical costumes, particularly oriental and antique attire, which he collected.
Psychological Depth: Like his master, De Gelder prioritized psychological depth. His figures' faces are often deeply expressive, captured with the warm, earthy palette of browns and golds typical of the Rembrandt school, and illuminated by a strong, concentrated light source.
Archaisms: Due to his adherence to the older style, his works often appeared antiquated to his contemporaries, but today he is admired for preserving the integrity and expressive power of Rembrandt's final period.
Aert de Gelder is celebrated as a major artist whose loyal devotion to the expressive power of Rembrandt’s late style created some of the most emotionally charged paintings of the era.
