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WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS:
HISTORIC EUROPEAN PAINTING TECHNIQUES

INSTRUCTOR: Phoebe Dent Weil
phoebe@northernlightstudio.com

SYLLABUS Part IV

Part I , II , III

IV . EXPERIMENT AND FLOURISHING IN THE NORTH: REMBRANDT AND VERMEER

11/18: IV.1

Lecture: Introduction to Rembrandt’s technique
Practicum: RvR’s drawing techniques: quill pen and iron gall ink; red and black chalk; prepared paper; selection of detail from a panel painting by RvR for reconstruction
Assignment: Make at least 3 drawings after the manner of Rembrandt; begin reconstruction: imprimatura and underdrawing ; begin reading Ernst van de Wetering, Rembrandt the Painter at Work

11/20: IV.2

Lecture: Rembrandt’s technique continued: specific examples from the main periods of his work; Rembrandt’s medium
Practicum: the dead coloring; glazing and special effects; continue work on reconstruction
Assignment: Work on reconstruction—take it as far as you can; finish reading van de Wetering. Prepare report and presentation of your Rembrandt reconstrustions

11/25. IV.3

Presentation of Rembrandt reconstruction work—oral and written report
Evaluation and discussion
Assignment: read Melanie Gifford article in Vermeer Studies [Xerox handout]

[11/26-11/30 Thanksgiving Break]

12/2: IV.4

Lecture: Introduction to the technique of Johannes Vermeer
Practicum: Experimentation with Vermeer’s perspective techniques—making a camera obscura
Assignment: make a simple camera obscura; read article by Jean-Luc Delsaute in Vermeer Studies [Xerox handout]

12/4: IV.5

Lecture: Vermeer’s special effects
Practicum: presentation of cameras obscura; experimentation with a variety of Vermeer’s special effects
Assignment: preparation for final evaluation and discussion. Prepare a written and oral presentation of your experience in the class.

12/9: IV.6

Final critique and evaluation