Rembrandt’s original prints on display in Birmingham for exclusive UK Exhibition
This Birmingham exhibition includes 58 prints of the artists work on loan from the Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam to showcase the Artist’s mastery of printmaking.
A major exhibition of original prints by Rembrandt is set to open at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery on March 6, offering the only opportunity to view the collection in the UK.
Titled Rembrandt: Masterpieces in Black and White – Prints from the Rembrandt House Museum, the exhibition brings together 58 prints on loan from the Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam, alongside works from Birmingham’s own collection. It marks the first time these prints have been displayed as a collection outside the Netherlands.
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606-1669) is widely recognized as one of history’s most influential artists. While renowned for his paintings, he also produced more than 300 prints, advancing the medium as an independent art form rather than a means of reproduction. His work in etching, particularly his attention to detail and visual storytelling, has influenced generations of printmakers.
Alongside Rembrandt’s work, the exhibition will feature prints by two 20th-century Midlands artists, Harry Eccleston and Raymond Cowern, who, like Rembrandt, were both painters and printmakers. Cowern’s etchings depict scenes from the Midlands, while Eccleston, known for designing banknotes for the Bank of England, was inspired by the region’s industrial landscape.
Visitors will have the opportunity to closely examine Rembrandt’s intricate prints using magnifying glasses provided in the exhibition.
Epco Runia, head of collections at the Rembrandt House Museum, said the exhibition offers a unique chance to engage with Rembrandt’s work up close. “Each of Rembrandt’s prints is a work of art in its own right. If you take the time to look closely, a whole world opens up—a world in black and white, but with enormous visual richness.”
The exhibition is co-organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Rembrandt House Museum. Pauline Forlenza, director and chief executive of the American Federation of Arts, emphasized the significance of the collaboration. “This partnership allows us to bring these momentous etchings out of the Netherlands for the first time as a collection, giving audiences in the United Kingdom and the United States the chance to experience Rembrandt’s work directly.”
Sara Wajid and Zak Mensah, co-chief executives of Birmingham Museums Trust, described the exhibition as a rare opportunity for UK audiences. “We are delighted to host this significant collection of Rembrandt’s etchings and look forward to welcoming visitors to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery for this exclusive event.”
The exhibition runs until June 1, 2025. Tickets are available on the Birmingham Museums website.