The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp: A Rembrandt Masterpiece

Technical Elements and Color Palette

In this painting, the predominant colors are clearly black and white. White is used for the faces, the throat of the clothing, and the body. Black, meanwhile, dominates the clothing and most of the remaining canvas. Natural light, emanating from above, illuminates the naked, lifeless body of the corpse and the faces of those attending the lecture. The brushwork appears very scattered.

Formal Elements and Compositional Innovations

This painting marks Rembrandt's first group portrait for a professional corporation. He introduced significant innovations to the traditional Dutch concept of this painting type by arranging the characters in a more natural, less hierarchical order. Adhering to the established Dutch painting tradition, he rendered all characters with the same dimensions and chose a pyramidal composition for the group. The three central audience members, arranged in a triangle, intently observe the surgeon's meticulous hands and tweezers.

Work Function and Commissioning

The Anatomy Lesson of Professor Tulp was commissioned by the Corporation of Surgeons of Amsterdam and displayed at their headquarters.

Historical and Cultural Context

The European religious conflict, known as the Thirty Years' War, manifested between 1618 and 1648. In 1648, the Peace of Westphalia saw Philip IV recognize the independence of the new Protestant Republic of Holland. The 17th century would become a flourishing period for the Dutch, marked by:

• Commercial Prosperity: Driven by companies like the Dutch East India Company and West India Company, leading to the development of a strong bourgeoisie.
• Cultural Flourishing: Including significant contributions in philosophy (Spinoza) and jurisprudence (Grocio).

17th-century Holland struggled with the Spanish Empire to achieve independence. Upon achieving it, a republican regime was established, later evolving into a monarchy. The Netherlands transformed into a wealthy and growing country where merchants, burghers, and artisans thrived, fostering a vibrant art market. Group portraits of corporations became a unique genre in the Dutch Republic, providing a stable income for painters, as neither the Church nor the royal court served as primary art patrons.

Artistic Relationships and Influences

Rembrandt admired Caravaggio's dramatic use of light, which significantly influenced his own artistic practice. Rembrandt's work, in turn, had a remarkable impact on later artists such as Delacroix and the Impressionists, as well as the Spanish painter Goya, with whom he shared a passion for prints.

Content and Meaning of the Painting