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Becoming Rembrandt
by
Wanda Swiderski
"I don’t like doing the same things everyone else does . . ." Head-strong and impetuous, a young Rembrandt Van Rijn is determined to follow his dream, despite his family’s misgivings. As he charts his own course amidst the bustle of the Netherlands in the early seventeenth century, he discovers a world burgeoning with art, science, trade, and political turmoil. But can the son of a miller make it in this new world? As rich as a Dutch still life, and bristling with historical detail, Becoming Rembrandt is the little-known story of the great master’s formative years at the dawn of the Dutch Golden Age. Following Rembrandt from 1616 to 1624, it traces his move from the Leiden Latin School to the University of Leiden, and his successful apprenticeship with the famous and eccentric Jacob Van Swanenburg, a man who opens his eyes to the world and the glory of art. But Rembrandt’s path is not straightforward, and along the way he must contend with family turmoil, artistic failure, and his own inner struggle between arrogance and humility, isolation and social engagement, before he can begin to strive for greatness.
"EDITOR'S PICK: Rich and vibrant, Becoming Rembrandt is as detailed and teeming with life as the Old Master’s paintings it depicts. Swiderski writes beautifully, bringing the Dutch Golden Age alive with her meticulous research and eye for detail. Simply gorgeous. And a must-read for any art lover!" — Lynne Bradley, Ph.D. and Author, Adapting King Lear for the Stage "I first met Wanda Swiderski in Grade 9, when she was my English teacher. She had an extraordinary gift for connecting with her students, making a moment in history unfold before us with such vividness that she afforded us a privileged glimpse into another period. That gift extended beyond the classroom to her art tours at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, where her knowledge and enthusiasm sparked our curiosity and deepened our appreciation of the Dutch Golden Age. Her influence has accompanied me ever since: she inspired me to become an educator and, later, an author. Following in her footsteps, I attended the Creative Writing Summer Programme at the University of Oxford, pursuing a love of literature she had helped nurture. Wanda Swiderski holds herself to the highest standards of anyone I have known. Her writing reflects that devotion: elegant and refined, it reveals the meticulousness of her research and her commitment to her ideals. Her dedication to her craft is matched only by her care for her family, friends, and readers. Becoming Rembrandt embodies the qualities I have long admired in its author. In her hands, the pen becomes a brush, bringing the past to life with precision and imagination. Reading her work, I recognize the storyteller who wove tales so masterfully that they shaped lives." — Emily Ormond, author of Mauvaise foi (Bad Faith), Board Member of the Blue Metropolis International Literary Festival "In Becoming Rembrandt, Wanda Swiderski takes us on a memorable journey that is both instructive and enriching. In the novel, we meet fascinating characters and discover evocative historical settings that will remain etched in our memory long after we have closed the book. Becoming Rembrandt is a well-researched and compelling work, accessible to all readers." Licia Canton, author of The Pink House and Other Stories
WANDA SWIDERSKI is an educator, writer, and art researcher who holds two degrees from McGill University—a Bachelor of Education in the teaching of English and a Master of Education in School Administration. After her early years as a successful English and art teacher, Wanda pursued her interest in school administration. She held leadership positions at two prestigious Independent Schools in the Montreal area, serving as Assistant Principal at Queen of Angels Academy and as Director of the Senior School at The Study. In 2015, after an additional year of study in museology, Wanda became a docent and member of the Association of Volunteer Guides of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, where she had the pleasure of sharing the museum’s collections with visitors for several years. In 2022, Wanda became a member of the Quebec Writers’ Federation. Becoming Rembrandt is her debut novel. Wanda lives with her husband in Saint-Laurent, Quebec. Visit the website for Becoming Rembrandt at www.becomingrembrandt.com
Contributors
- Author
- Wanda Swiderski
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