Rembrandt Van Rijn (1606–69) is perhaps one of the world’s most well known and most prolific artists. Rembrandt is also renowned as one of the best and most sensitive of printmakers. He created at least 300 prints in his lifetime. That he repeatedly chose beggars as the subject of his etchings is not surprising as the beggar was a common subject in 17th century Dutch genre prints and paintings. Many of Rembrandt’s etchings are biblical scenes with biblical figures portrayed as beggars. Gary Schwartz, in his essay for the exhibition brochure writes, “This kind of crossover between street life and sacred history matches a pattern that is found elsewhere in Rembrandt’s work...in Rembrandt’s etchings beggars are bestowed with sanctity and individuality.” It is the profound humanity in Rembrandt’s body of work that makes him one of the world’s most empathetic and well-liked artists.

The exhibition features 35 rare etchings Rembrandt did between 1629 and 1654. These etchings, with their fine draftsmanship and beautiful gradations of light and shadow illustrate the singular and sensitive hand of the artist.

Sordid and Sacred: The Beggars in Rembrandt’s Etchings, Selections from the John Villarino Collection was organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, CA.