Tucker_and_Rembrandt

Albert Tucker (1914-99) was an influential Australian artist who was inspired by haunting events and experiences of the war and the downfall of society. Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-69) who was born in Holland is considered one of the greatest artists in European history, favouring painting and etching. Both artists have come across hardships and family grief, often using their emotions and feelings in their works. In this essay, I will analyse a self portrait from each of their collection and discuss similarities and differences. Tucker created ‘Self Portrait’ in 1945, using oil on cotton on cardboard while Rembrandt’s painting ‘Self Portrait as a Young Man’ was completed in 1628. Compositionally, the portraits differ. Tucker has painted himself facing straight on whereas Rembrandt’s is asymmetrical, showing more of his right-sided features. Even though both artists have used different techniques, the illusion of depth is present in the works. Tucker, painting in long and thin brushstrokes, has created profundity in the contours of his face and wrinkled shirt by using different shades, shapes and colour. Rembrandt has used almost a faded water ripple effect but, like Tucker, has created lighting and shadow by using different shades and colour. Another variation in these two works is colour. Rembrandt has used a combination of black, brown, white and cream, casting a shadow that hides his facial features. His hair has bits of bright orange due to the angle at which the light is hitting his head. The shades themselves are dull and pastel, giving the painting an old and traditional outcome. He often painted in this style, also known as chiaroscuro, which exaggeratedly employs light and shadow. His works can be considered as having biblical and historical themes. Tucker has mostly used dull colours also, with exceptions of his bright red tie which contrasts with his rosy cheeks. He uses a mix of different shades in his skin tone as he does in other portraits, making him appear sallow and unhealthy. In Tucker’s hairline are traces of thin, grey brushstrokes which show age and weariness. His forehead has been painted a sickly yellow colour and you can tell his face is unshaven by shades of grey and purple. His shirt has been splotched with dark green colour in some areas, perhaps representing stains which show a certain resignation in his character. Both artworks have a sense of melancholy about them. The atmosphere in Tucker’s is a depressing tension while Rembrandt’s suggests a more peaceful sadness. Each of them had lives full of traumatic events. Tucker experienced war conditions, seeing the most horrendous of sights which influenced many of his artworks. It changed his views of society and opened his eyes to ‘modern evil,’ as his major series depicted. The person in his self portrait looks feeble and dejected, possibly in regards to his broken family and wife who left him, Joy Hester. His eyes are looking up at us in the picture, showing lack of power and meekness. Rembrandt had the same depressing life concerning family matters. He lost three children while they were at an early age and later on, his wife, soon after giving birth to their fourth child. His emotional misfortunes are evident in his self portrait, portrayed in his face. The eyes are almost lost in all the shadow, as is his mouth. The mouth does not appear to have any tension, but is slightly open in a disheartening sense. He looks glum, and almost like he is pleading with the viewer to set him free. Structurally, the artworks have been made differently using various techniques and materials however; they share similar feelings, emotions and stories behind the picture. Although made in widely different times, both portraits convey an interpretation of the artist and can relate to each other. Tucker is part of the Surrealism art movement while Rembrandt belonged to the Baroque art style. Examining all of these similarities and differences, we have a better understanding of the two works and the inspiration in which they came from.