Curator An Van Camp explains Rembrandt’s use of a printmaking technique known as etching, and what his early experiments tell us about the young artist’s working process.
The Young Rembrandt exhibition is open at the Ashmolean until 1 Nov 2020: https://www.ashmolean.org/youngrembrandt
This landmark show explores the early years of the career of the most famous of all Dutch artists, Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669). Beginning with his earliest known paintings, prints and drawings made in the mid-1620s, and ending at the moment he rockets to stardom in Amsterdam in the mid-1630s, this exhibition charts an astonishing transformation.
This is the largest collection of works devoted to the young Rembrandt and includes over 30 of his paintings, and 90 drawings and prints from international and private collections. On display for the first time is the newly discovered painting Let the Little Children Come to Me.
Don’t miss this unprecedented opportunity to examine young Rembrandt’s work and observe his remarkable metamorphosis from insecure teenager to the greatest Dutch painter of all time.
After a brisk walk through the Arlington Row, a very nice breakfast awaited us in The Swan dining room.
The drive to Oxford from Bibury is 30 miles, but expect traffic in the last 5 miles. Allow an hour to get parked in one of the many underground parking areas, such as the Gloucester Green.
Our first stop was the Ashmolean Museum, which was remarkably uncrowded at 9:30 am this Wednesday morning. We paid to see the special exhibit “Last Supper In Pompeii” and it was outstanding.
We then walked the remaining floors to view the incredible Renaissance and European Art exhibits including paintings, sculpture, ceramics and musical instruments
The three Stradivarius violins and one guitar, along with other priceless instruments were one of a kind holdings of this world class museum. 
We walked over the Bodleian Library and purchased tour tickets for 1 pm. The we walked over to University Church of Saint Mary the Virgin and paid to climb the tower to view all of Oxford but especially the Radcliffe Camera.
No one should visit Oxford and not climb the tower. Spectacular is the only descriptor. We climbed back down and walked the streets nearby until it was time for the tour. Our guide was an amazing woman who studied history at Cambridge before falling in love with the Bodleian.
The history of Oxford University is centered around the 600+ year construction and evolution of its world famous library. A must see.
We walked over to the Christ Church Picture Gallery for a quick viewing and then had late lunch at The Bear, a classically old pub down a small alley.
Great day!
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