the goldfinch

on my way out of the Netherlands, there was a painting I promised myself I would visit at The Hague. I’m so glad I took that extra train to visit the beautiful gallery that waited for me there.

seeing ‘girl with a pearl earring’ was a special moment. such a beautiful painting which I’ve read so much about. I discovered that this painting was revolutionary for its time due to being not a portrait, but a painting of a fictional character (without use of a model).

however, the painting I had to stop and spend time with was ‘the goldfinch’, one of only a handful of remaining pieces from Rembrandt’s prodigy Fabritius. this simple piece features a finch who is trapped by a chain on its ankle, attached to the pole on which it stands. the painting inspired my favourite novel, and also inspires me as a symbol of persistence through endured hardships.

the museum was beautiful. the Netherlands were beautiful << x