Hendrickje Stoffels: Rembrandt van Rijn’s Incarnation of Medea
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University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK
2000
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| Online Access: | http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin973707292 |
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-ucin9737072922021-08-03T06:15:48Z Hendrickje Stoffels: Rembrandt van Rijn’s Incarnation of Medea Willis, Kelly Jo REMBRANDT HENDRICKJE MEDEA Bathsheba Lucretia Jason woman The relationship between Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) and Hendrickje Stoffels (1625/26-1663) has not been examined to the extent of other aspects of Rembrandt’s life. The manner in which Hendrickje served as an artistic inspiration for Rembrandt has been particularly overlooked. Hendrickje Stoffels publicized her direct relationship with the artist in 1654. That summer, she was summoned before the Reformed Church Council to justify their common-law marriage. Five months pregnant with their child, Hendrickje humbled herself before the Council and admitted her devotion to Rembrandt. Denounced for “living like a whore,” Hendrickje was banished as a member of the Church. Despite the public humiliation, Rembrandt and Hendrickje’s relationship endured. For Rembrandt, there were hidden aspects of Hendrickje’s personality which he undeniably found inspiring. In particular, he identified Hendrickje with the mythical character, Medea – a classical heroine who wore a label of her own with pride and dignity. Introduced in Euripides classical play of the same name in 431 BC, Medea is portrayed as a wild, vindictive woman. In return for her husband’s abandonment, she punishes him by murdering her own children. She was coined a witch goddess. Having been strong in the face of betrayal and death, Medea wins sympathy and is transformed into a heroine. Both Medea’s and Hendrickje’s plight are brought about by uncontrollable passions. The love of a man drives them to sacrifice their independence. As Medea’s love turns to hate upon betrayal so Hendrickje’s love turns into a silent threat upon her public demise. This thesis will explore the role of Hendrickje Stoffels as a creative force for Rembrandt in comparing her undisclosed personality to that of the classical heroine, Medea, a figure with whom Rembrandt empathized. The focus will be on five historical paintings dating between 1654-1666, Bathsheba Reading King David’s Letter, Flora, Woman Bathing in a Stream, Juno, and Lucretia in which Hendrickje is believed to bedepicted. In close examination of the works, the similarities between Hendrickje and Medea are revealed. Medea emerges as the title figure of each work thus allowing Rembrandt to covet his relationship with Hendrickje behind historical guises. 2000 English text University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin973707292 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin973707292 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
| collection |
NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
REMBRANDT HENDRICKJE MEDEA Bathsheba Lucretia Jason woman |
| spellingShingle |
REMBRANDT HENDRICKJE MEDEA Bathsheba Lucretia Jason woman Willis, Kelly Jo Hendrickje Stoffels: Rembrandt van Rijn’s Incarnation of Medea |
| author |
Willis, Kelly Jo |
| author_facet |
Willis, Kelly Jo |
| author_sort |
Willis, Kelly Jo |
| title |
Hendrickje Stoffels: Rembrandt van Rijn’s Incarnation of Medea |
| title_short |
Hendrickje Stoffels: Rembrandt van Rijn’s Incarnation of Medea |
| title_full |
Hendrickje Stoffels: Rembrandt van Rijn’s Incarnation of Medea |
| title_fullStr |
Hendrickje Stoffels: Rembrandt van Rijn’s Incarnation of Medea |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Hendrickje Stoffels: Rembrandt van Rijn’s Incarnation of Medea |
| title_sort |
hendrickje stoffels: rembrandt van rijn’s incarnation of medea |
| publisher |
University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2000 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin973707292 |
| work_keys_str_mv |
AT williskellyjo hendrickjestoffelsrembrandtvanrijnsincarnationofmedea |
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