In the seventeenth century, Jews played a critical role in the vibrant visual culture of the Dutch Republic—as patrons, collectors, and subjects of art, particularly in the work of Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669) and his circle. Living in the heart of Amsterdam’s Jewish district, Rembrandt received commissions from his Jewish neighbors, incorporated them into biblical scenes, and depicted them in character studies.
Organized by the MFA’s Center for Netherlandish Art in collaboration with a seminar of undergraduate and graduate students at Boston University, this exhibition draws on the MFA’s collection of Dutch art and Judaica to explore the different ways Jews interacted with the artistic culture of Holland in the 1600s. Varied objects—from paintings and prints by Rembrandt and his school to one of the oldest surviving pairs of Dutch silver Torah finials (rimonim)—embody the visibility and agency of Jews in the religiously diverse Dutch Republic.
This is the fifth in a series of collaborations between the CNA and its academic partners that draws on the Museum’s deep collection of Dutch and Flemish art in new and unexpected ways, bringing fresh perspectives and diverse voices to the forefront while showcasing cross-disciplinary scholarship. Previous displays include:
- A Modern Art Market (November 2021 through October 2022)
- Michaelina Wautier and The Five Senses: Innovation in 17th-Century Flemish Painting (12 November 2022 through 5 November 2023)
- Thinking Small: Dutch Art to Scale (18 November 2023 through 8 December 2024)
- Curated by Teens: Death as a Constant Companion (21 December 2024 through 30 November 2025)