Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum Present 'Rembrandt & Caravaggio'

:To mark the 400th anniversary of Rembrandt's birth, the Van Gogh Museum is presenting an exhibition by the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum featuring a remarkable confrontation between the two geniuses of Baroque art - Rembrandt van Rijn and his Italian counterpart, Caravaggio. "Rembrandt-Caravaggio" shows exclusively in Amsterdam from February 24 to June 18.

More than 25 monumental paintings from various international museums provide a visual spectacle with powerful images of love, emotion and passion.

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610) died four years after Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) was born. Although they never met, there are many parallels between the two masters and their work. Both were revolutionary innovators in the art of southern and northern Europe, respectively. And while they stemmed from different traditions of painting, each developed an individual, dramatic visual idiom.

Rembrandt van Rijn Rape of Ganymede 1635 oil on canvas shown left 171 by 130 centimeters Gemldegalerie Dresden Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio Amor Vincit Omnia circa 160102 oil on canvas shown right 75 14 by 58 14 inches Gemaeldegalerie Berlin

Rembrandt van Rijn, "Rape of Ganymede," 1635, oil on canvas, (shown left) 171 by 130 centimeters. Gemäldegalerie, Dresden. Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, "Amor Vincit Omnia," circa 1601-02, oil on canvas, (shown right) 75 1/4 by 58 1/4 inches. Gemaeldegalerie, Berlin.

Caravaggio's work, which has not been shown in the Netherlands since 1952, is represented in this exhibition by major items from international museums. Masterpieces such as "The Supper at Emmaus" from London, "Amor Vincit Omnia" from Berlin and the "Sacrifice of Isaac" from Florence are in Amsterdam for the show.

Famous paintings by Rembrandt from various museums abroad are also featured, including the "Blinding of Samson" from Frankfurt and "Belshazzar's Feast" from London. Most of the paintings will be displayed in pairs of works by the two artists. The interior design is by Jean-Michel Wilmotte (Paris), exhibition architect of the New Rijksmuseum.

During "Rembrandt-Caravaggio," the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum offer a combination ticket for the exhibition, as well as both museums.

A combination ticket costs 25 euros and can be purchased via www.rembrandt-caravaggio.nl. Tickets for "Rembrandt-Caravaggio" (including the Van Gogh Museum permanent collection) cost 20 euros.

For information, 212-370-7360, extension 24, or email ibjansen@holland.com.

Antiques and the Arts Editorial Content