“Rembrandt was, above all, a painter and etcher of scenes from the Old and New Testaments and it is in the description of his interpretations of these texts that Dr Tümpel is unrivalled among modern writers on the artist. . . . The product of long and mature reflection on the art of Rembrandt and, in particular, on his religious art.”

The Art Newspaper

"Having made Rembrandt readable again is Christian Tumpel's essential contribution to the research of the artist's work ... He methodically destroys the legends which grew around Rembrandt's life. And at the same time opens up a new access into the world of Rembrandt's imagery."

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

"Lavishly illustrated and handsomely produced, Images and Metaphors ignores the myths and legends that have grown up over the centuries about Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn and replaces them with a hard look of the facts, creating thereby entirely new avenues into the creative genius of this painter. An impressive accomplishment!"

Art Times Journal