Samuel van Hoogstraten gets online catalogue raisonné
The RKD is working with the Museum Rembrandthuis in Amsterdam on an online catalogue raisonné of the work of Samuel van Hoogstraten (1627-1678). The description of more than five hundred of his works will involve experts from the Netherlands and abroad. The online catalogue will be published as a RKD Study around April 2025.
Inventive artist and writer
Samuel van Hoogstraten was an inventive artist and writer. He began his apprenticeship with his father, Dirk van Hoogstraten, and then with Rembrandt. After leaving the studio, he travelled throughout Europe. He was skilled in depicting various subjects, such as historical scenes, portraits and trompe-l'oeils. In Vienna, he even received a gold chain from Emperor Ferdinand III for a fantastic, illusionistic work with which Van Hoogstraten 'tricked' the emperor. At the end of his life, he wrote Inleyding tot de hooge schoole der schilderkonst: anders de zichtbaere werelt, a handbook for painting, published in 1678. Much of his work is already known, but every now and then something new appears on the art market or new attributions come to light. This happens more often with works from Rembrandt’s circle.
Digital catalogue raisonné
A digital catalogue raisonné is an appropriate way to publish the work of Samuel van Hoogstraten. The online form of the RKD study makes it possible to include new research immediately, thus keeping the catalogue up to date. It also makes all the knowledge about this versatile artist and his work freely available to everyone. The works included in the publication are prints, drawings, paintings and perspective boxes (illusionist paintings incorporated in a viewing box). The classic entries will be integrated into the RKD Research database, where different findings can coexist. The works are then linked in the RKD Study, which includes the catalogue raisonné, an introductory biography and three essays. These are written by Stephanie Dickey, Leonore van Sloten, Michiel Roscam Abbing and David de Witt.
Exhibitions in Vienna and Amsterdam
The RKD Study follows two exhibitions on Samuel van Hoogstraten, in Vienna and Amsterdam. The Kunsthistorisches Museum will show Rembrandt – Hoogstraten, Colour and Illusion from 8 October 2024 to 12 January 2025. This is the first time that such a major Rembrandt exhibition has taken place in Austria. The master will be seen through the eyes of his pupil, Samuel van Hoogstraten. This will be followed by an exhibition at the Museum Rembrandthuis from 1 February to 4 May 2025, which will highlight Van Hoogstraten as one of Rembrandt's best pupils.
