Van Rijn Quotes

“My shell collection

Here are my shells, orderly to the eye, mysterious to the mind. Some are rough and grainy, others are soft and pearly. Mine are all empty, but out in the sea there are empty ones too – as many as there are full. When the creatures emerge, they leave part of themselves behind. That is why I think of these spirals as living though they are asleep in their forms.”
― Sarah Emily Miano, Van Rijn

“I left the house and headed for the Lauriergracht, where Van Hoogstraten had taken up residence since leaving Vienna and his post as court painter specializing in optical deceits. He currently made peepshow boxes constructed of wood, with one missing side that allowed light to enter as if through a shuttered window, and two small holes for viewing the painted panels of scenes inside. I had never seen one of these peepshows personally, and hoped he would have at least one to show me.”
― Sarah Emily Miano, Van Rijn

“Such command and honesty! Your figures are full of emotion, for instance, here – points at the panel – the figure of Judas on his knees, wringing his hands in self-hatred and pleading for forgiveness… Who would have thought that someone your age, a miller at that, could put so much into a figure!”
― Sarah Emily Miano, Van Rijn

“The apothecary holds out a large volume with the title ‘De Defabrica’. Taking the book, the painter runs his fingers across the leather cover, then lifts it open.
“Where did you find it?”
“When? Last week. It’s the first anatomy book since Vesalius, written by Adriaen van den Spieghel.”
“No, where?”
As the painter flips open the thick pages, he finds many illustrations and detailed fragments of body parts he has never even heard of before.
“I have many sources, young man.” On hearing a bell – a customer has arrived – he advances towards the door. “Look it over, but be sure to return it.”
― Sarah Emily Miano, Van Rijn