A sensitive innocent, Hendrickje escapes the harsh realities of her garrison home-town to become a servant in Rembrandt's household. She soon becomes his lover and closest confidante, filling the void in his life resulting from the death of his wife and two of their children. 'Reborn at twenty' in Rembrandt's studio as his model and lover, Hendrickje is fated to discover the hypocrisy and fickleness of Amsterdam society, which ostracises her and precipitates Rembrandt's final collapse.
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Review:
"Matton's novel has been assiduously researched, and she memorably evokes the cruelties and hardships of everyday life 300 years ago." (Mail on Sunday)
"Matton has created a work of incredible beauty, juxtaposing the darkness of a society riddled with Black Death with the passion shared by the painter and his muse." (Bizarre)
"A precious alloy of human interest, detailed historical research and inspired sensitivity to Rembrandt's work . . . the writing is as careful and subtle as the master's paintings." (Magazine Litteraire, France)
About the Author:
Syvlie Matton is the author of a previous novel, L'Econduit (1997). With her husband, the artist and film-maker Charles Matton, she worked for two years on a feature-length film on the life of Rembrandt, premiered in Britain in 2001.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherCanongate Books Ltd
- Publication date2002
- ISBN 10 1841952737
- ISBN 13 9781841952734
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages198
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Rating