The Jewish Bride, 1662 Oil on canvas by Rembrandt

Rembrandt’s The Jewish Bride (1662) remains one of his more famous paintings though it was a commissioned wedding painting by the couple themselves in Amderstdam. Since this portrait was painted, generations of museum visitors have cherished it.

Vincent van Gogh once said that he’d exchange ten years of his life for the opportunity to gaze at this masterpiece for two weeks The thing that charmed him and all the admirers before us is the same thing that captivates us: the knowledge in our own hearts of the treasure of this deep, tender, loving intimacy between a man and a woman.
Rembrandt lived in Amsterdam’s Jewish quarter and had many Jewish friends in the Sefardi community there at the time, the couple in the painting may very well have been friends or acquintances.
At one level, this is a commissioned portrait, painted by Rembrandt for a Jewish couple to commemorate their wedding. On another level, it’s a Biblical history painting, because Rembrandt added interest and meaning by casting the couple as Isaac and Rebecca. But on a third, and most important level, it’s a universally beloved portrait of the tender intimacy shared between a man and a woman who are deeply in love. The man’s arm behind her back supports her and connects her with him, but it does not confine or dominate her. His right hand comforts her gently as he adorns her with a golden chain. Her touch is delicate and intimate, but almost instinctual, as is their corporate posture, leaning tenderly toward one another without even having to establish eye contact. They need not look at each other because their hearts and minds are so intimately joined that they are truly of a single flesh. They communicate most eloquently, as does Rembrandt’s magical painting, without words.

The Jewish Bride, close-up

deletereply darlene57 wrote on Jan 31, ’09 So, beautiful. |:~)

deletereply gypsy4you wrote on Jan 31, ’09 So wonderful and a marveloud true inspiration. Hug’s & Thank you…

deletereply starfishred wrote on Feb 1, ’09 I have seen up close and it is truely wonderful but then Rembrant was so great thanks laurita

deletereply forgetmenot525 wrote on Feb 1, ’09 I love the way you describe the body language of these two, beautifully put and I agree wholeheartedly. I think there are maybe 5 or 6 truly great classical painters and Rembrandt has to up there with the best. Thanks for posting,