In the 17th century, Jews played a critical role in the vibrant visual culture of the Dutch Republic—as patrons, collectors, and subjects of art, particularly in the work of Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669) and his circle. Living in the heart of Amsterdam’s Jewish district, Rembrandt received commissions from his Jewish neighbors, incorporated them into biblical scenes, and depicted them in character studies.

Organized by the MFA’s Center for Netherlandish Art in collaboration with a seminar of undergraduate and graduate students at Boston University, this exhibition draws on the MFA’s collection of Dutch art and Judaica to explore the different ways Jews interacted with the artistic culture of Holland in the 1600s. Varied objects—from paintings and prints by Rembrandt and his school to one of the oldest surviving pairs of Dutch silver Torah finials (rimonim)—embody the visibility and agency of Jews in the religiously diverse Dutch Republic.

This is the fifth in a series of collaborations between the CNA and its academic partners that draws on the Museum’s deep collection of Dutch and Flemish art in new and unexpected ways, bringing fresh perspectives and diverse voices to the forefront while showcasing cross-disciplinary scholarship. Previous displays include “A Modern Art Market,” on view from November 2021 through October 2022; “Michaelina Wautier and The Five Senses: Innovation in 17th-Century Flemish Painting,” on view from November 12, 2022, through November 5, 2023; “Thinking Small: Dutch Art to Scale,” on view from November 18, 2023, through December 8, 2024; and “Curated by Teens: Death as a Constant Companion,” on view from December 21, 2024, through November 30, 2025.

The Founders of the Center for Netherlandish Art are Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo and Susan and Matthew Weatherbie.