"Rembrandt's Whore," Sylvie Matton's Historical Novel

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Sylvie Matton interviewed by Tom Osborne on her novel recently published in 17 languages, "Rembrandt's Whore." Of course, the book is about the great 17th century Dutch master, his young lover, Hendrickje Stoffels, and much more about the mind shaped by the competing norms, ambitions and hungers of the times. Following is a brief excerpt from book review" I have recently read "Girl with Pearl Earing" and "Girl in Hyacinth Blue", two other novels attempting to portray the golden age of art in Holland, both centering around Vermeer. Both are noteworthy, but this effort, about Rembrandt, surpasses both.
First of all, the main character, from whose point of view the story is told, thinks more like someone in the 17th century than the characters in the other two novels. There is the omnipresence of religion, the imagery with which thought occurrs(the little white worms!). Then there is the sense of time and place..Amsterdam here is not some nostalgic spot in the Dutch past, but a complex culture mixing religion, innovation, and art in the country where modern capitalism arguably emerged. It is the merchants who rule this world, not the old aristocracy, and this world is in flux. The tension between the merchant class, the religious reaction to them, and artist as personified by Rembrandt is fascinatiog. One also feels the force of natural events, the Plague, and the floods which always threatened Holland.
There is much about Rembrandt here, much about the struggle of an artist who attempts to remain true to his vision, both as an artist and as a human being, against the spirit of a conservative phillistine society.The descriptions of Rembrandt's way of seeing the world, and most importantly the people in it, will change the way you look at his art.
Lastly, this book is simply a joy to read. Mattons language is rich and evocative and lingers in the mind. Her observations about the people who live in this world ar sharp and true. The love story in these pages is erotic and powerful. She also has a unique way of blending story lines with the Rembrandt's paintings that enriches the story even more.
My highest recomendation!

Tags

• Rembrandt
• sex
• art
• novel
• Sylvie Matton
• Amsterdam

Directors:

• Tom Osborne & Mo Sacirbey

Producers:

• Mo Sacirbey