Night at the Museum

Rubens' Tribute Money (iPhone photo, LOH, 5/19/2015)

Stanford Art History professor Alexander Nemerov spoke to a rapt audience this evening about one of his favorite paintings, Rubens' Tribute Money. The lecture was held at San Francisco's Legion of Honor museum, where the work has resided since 1944.

After pointing out details in Tribute Money that our untrained eyes might miss, Prof. Nemerov then described how Rubens was inspired by Caravaggio, and how Rubens in turn influenced Rembrandt.

Caravaggio's Incredulity of St. Thomas, Berlin

He compared the work with Caravaggio's Incredulity of St. Thomas and Rembrandt's the Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp. Comments:

1) Prof. Nemerov spent some minutes explaining the Bible stories behind the Rubens and the Caravaggio. Only a few decades ago the lecturer would just have had to say "render unto Caesar" and "doubting Thomas," and every American listener would immediately get the reference.

Rembrandt's the Anatomy Lesson, the Hague

2) Rubens (1577-1640) is renowned for his lush, sensual style. Prof. Nemerov noted that the extravagant musculature lives on in today's superhero comic books.

3) Why does he love Rubens? Among other factors, the paintings exude a unique "wetness."

After the lecture we adjourned to the main gallery to admire Tribute Money, which was situated in a room with works by Monet, Renoir, and other Impressionist masters.

It was our first visit to the museum, a replica of Paris' Palais de la Légion d’Honneur, but it won't be our last.

Rodin's Thinker greets visitors at the entrance

El Greco: St. Francis Venerating the Crucifix