Rembrandt-penning, 1988 1988

This Rembrandt commemorative coin, made by Vincent Pieter Semeyn Esser in 1988, is all about touch and feel, isn’t it? The surface has been worked so that the image emerges from the material itself. It's like the artist is feeling his way through the metal, pushing and pulling to create form. The patina of the metal gives it a tactile, almost ancient quality. It reminds me of the way Rembrandt himself built up layers of paint, working them to create a sense of depth and shadow. Look closely at the face; the rough texture and subtle gradations in tone give it a real presence. It's as if the artist is trying to capture not just Rembrandt’s likeness, but his spirit. Esser's coin reminds me of the work of Medardo Rosso, who worked with wax to create fleeting, ephemeral sculptures. Like Rosso, Esser is interested in the way that light and shadow can transform a form, giving it a sense of movement and life. Art is always talking to art, right? It's never just about one thing, and always has more than one answer.