Cocktails with a Curator: Rembrandt's "Polish Rider"

In this episode of "Cocktails with a Curator," Xavier F. Salomon, Peter Jay Sharp Chief Curator, hosts us again for happy hour at his apartment. The subject of tonight's presentation is the mysterious "Polish Rider " by Rembrandt, and the complementary cocktail is the Szarlotka, a Polish drink made with Żubrówka (vodka infused with bison grass).
To see this painting in detail, please visit our website: collections.frick.org/objects...

[@carlabroderick5508]

These Curator cocktails are brilliant idea.

[@ANNAANNA-kt9nm]

Great great great!!!!grazie from Milano Italy

[@barbarajohnson1442]

How I missed this one, I do not know! Cocktails with a Curator helped me survive (our sheltering in place), like the horse he is on. Beautiful inspiring and provocative choice 👏, I still have yet to brave this new world and get back to the Frick. Thank you for your insightful words.

[@adorabledeplorable4638]

Cocktails with a Curator is such a perfect way to spend time. Cheers! Florida, Sunday afternoon, smoothie but it all works.

[@lidyabass6684]

What a fantastic story! What a brilliant story-teller! Thank you.

[@paullinzer5254]

We simply cannot thank you and The Frick Collection for brightening our difficult days with these wonderfully life-enhancing virtual lectures. Long our favorite museum in all of NYC, the Frick is at the forefront here in this manner too! Cheers to you and all!!!

[@sheila8809]

Thank you Xavier for the 2nd cocktails with a curator. The symbolism that you point out, connecting the worlds current situation with the paintings is beautiful. 🌷

[@meggallucci5300]

This is the best! Museums are rising to the challenge online, but the Frick approach is inspired. I cannot wait until next week. In fact, I hope the Frick will continue the series indefinitely.

[@lynettemichel9654]

Thank you so very much for your presentation on the Polish Rider - intriguing, and mystifying, it as you say is a visual representation of today's life. I look forward to next Friday's cocktails with a curator. Dziękuję Ci (thank you in Polish)

[@michaelbaenen2388]

Thank you again for this wonderful project. The opportunity to look closely at a single great painting should not be taken for granted.So true that we are all moving ahead, but in a context we cannot fathom. Oh how happy I will be when I can enter my own city's great museums-the MFA, the Gardner, the Fogg-never mind the Frick, the Morgan, and the Met!

[@thomasroell8979]

Thank you for these great videos. They are both informative and entertaining. I have visited the Frick, it is wonderful. Thank you again.

[@ottarsdatter]

Vermont, in my living room, in my bath robe. Thank you so much, both Fricks and not-Fricks.

[@NimrodTargaryen]

Thank you Xavier for your commentary, maybe Rembrandt is the rider looking back and with an uncertain future ahead

[@gramspearls7366]

Thank you for the past two Friday's Mr. Xavier. This is what I have needed to keep me feeling as though the world of gracious living still exists. Your presentations and voice are reassuring and I am now looking forward to spending some time on Friday evenings with you and The Frick. Warmly, Kathleen

[@dennisportelli6327]

Xavier your posts are fantastic, I’m going to join The Frick so that I can support your work.

[@maggieazj]

I love the sense of mystery, the sense of facing the unknown - and that's what we are doing right now.

[@dianalee8824]

Wonderful talk on a lovely painting! This series is a great idea .... Thank you and cheers!

[@LutheranLiarNYC]

Looking back, facing the unknown. Wonderful. Thank you, Frick. And thank you, Xavier

[@sophienorth922]

Thank you Xavier!

[@beata6068]

Thank you so much. What a treat at the end of a challenging week and a wonderful art initiative! Impeccable Polish pronunciation!

[@erikaszabo1623]

Thank you. For fifteen minutes I am back in the atrium of the Frick, cocktail in hand; my two most favorite things.

[@chadwickworldwide]

Thank you for this wonderful addition to my Friday! Please continue!

[@TFIEnvision]

What a lovely interlude to enjoy during this difficult time. Much appreciated!

[@catherinehughes2022]

what i like stylistically about this painting is there are areas in which the artist seems to be aiming for a more realistic rendering and others where he seems to go for a more impressionistic expression of the landscape

[@billnickels6667]

Xavier. this is brilliant work. Art history! thank you sir

[@barbarabarry3799]

It's not often that commentators say "we don't know" but that adds to our own experience of enigma about this strange and also wonderful picture. Would love to hear what Xavier Salomon will say about the magnificent Rembrandt self-portrait in the Frick!

[@ikmarchini]

Just wonderful. Love Rembrandt and haven't been to the Frick in years. As soon as this damn virus clears I will return. Na zdrowie!

[@kenrock4517]

These talks really are insightful and inspiring. I appreciate the effort to tie the theme of the painting to the current crisis caused by the pandemic. I appreciate the invitation to mix up something special, as well! Thank you, Frick Collection!

[@wendyjackson3861]

lovely way to enjoy a very nice friday afternoon with unknown friends. thank you really enjoy it

[@marylouburlingame4642]

Loving this every Friday! I get together with my sister in law and friends/family and we What's App video and watch it together! THANK YOU so much. I will have to visit the Frick as I would love the see the paintings closer up. Cheers everyone!

[@shimilangagardens1804]

Dear Xavier, This program has been a wonderful substitute for the physical museum tour. Your knowledge and hospitality is first class. Salut

[@barbarajohnson1442]

I never spent much time with this painting, but your choice of it at this time is gratefully received. The experience of spending time with Art in the midst of a long crisis is such an affirmation for the necessity of Art. Wonderful reflection. I became very intrigued by the illusion of simplicity in its composition. Many thanks Xavier.

[@mercelloveras7453]

Thank ypu very much to the Frick M useum for this so well explained Rembrandt's beautiful painting. Great!!

[@julieb750]

Thank you for this presentation. Really enjoyed it and learned so much. Looking forward to next week.

[@lindabarry7867]

Loved looking at you, Xavier as much as the painting! Plus your gorgeous voice. What a treat.

[@peggymur1]

Wonderful! Thanks!

[@aravento]

Thanks from Barcelona

[@MrDan5702]

This is terrific! ... Thank you!

[@harrietdavies4892]

Thank you! So enjoyable, I look forward to next week. Take care and hello from Nova Scotia.

[@SusanLH]

Thank you for the references to Rembrandt and his collection. I was lucky enough to visit the home in Amsterdam he was forced to sell and to see the sorts of things that would have been in his collection of natural curiousities. I always like the links between this painting and Poniatowski and the video done of his retreat. So many places to visit. :)

[@tamarhowson]

Thank you! A fabulous way to help us get through these difficult time....

[@carlaroberts4969]

Lovely. Thanks

[@martinemougenot9309]

from France, thank you for this presentation in these times of stress, it's really what i need !! What a wonderful idea

[@ritat1]

Fascinating, both for its historical and artistic content and its relevance to current events. Loved it! Thank you!

[@phyllissegura4297]

This painting was a favorite of Aldous Huxley.

[@maureensheehan2681]

Look forward to this each Friday! thank you!

[@johnkirwan2111]

John Kirwan Very well presented series on terrific pictures. Love the history without getting too technical. Keep it up.

[@mickeyb5217]

been looking forward to this all week. cheers! (with whisky sour my cocktail of choice)

[@cindyballard4258]

I ahve enjoyed both of your presentations and look froward to the future ones. Thank you for taking the time to bring this to us !

[@dottiejeffries939]

Thank you, Xavier. Your commentary is informative and moving. And your ability to discuss the painting in context of our current world dilemma is much appreciated. This series is superb. See you this coming Friday.

[@victoriamilonas1942]

It's been said by many, but it behooves me to repeat it - what an erudite, thoughtful series. And this was #2!

[@rebecarold]

Thank you! Just watched last week’s, really appreciate this and now a subscriber

[@zanderary]

You are doing a fantastic job! You bring a wonderful human quality to the task of revealing the background to these works, enhancing our appreciation. My wife and I thank you!

[@romanszechter9683]

Wonderful talk, indeed. Would like to add that in Poland this painting has a title “Lisowczyk” (polish warrior in XVII century). Juliusz Kossak painted a copy in 1865, now in the National Museum, Warsaw.

[@jennissequoit4345]

Fascinating! So interesting to learn about history through visual art.. Thank you!

[@michaelcolborne2856]

I am enjoying this series so much. Your talks are as informative as they are inspiring. Thank you.

[@elizabethshannon2033]

Thank you very much for your inspiring commentary on this great painting. I am curious about the positioning of the right hand and the way in which the rider is holding his weapon. It is a very unusual, and somewhat awkward, way to hold the hand. Do you have any suggestions as to why this might be so? I am also curious about the rider who seems to be pausing for reflection while the horse is clearly moving forward. This has the effect of creating a dual reality. One which is paused and one which is not.

[@marengo667]

Excellent job! I m proud you know so much about polish history! I teach a history of art and i hope reach your brilliant level!

[@seifertfamily1]

Interesting and enjoyable - just what I need - thank you!

[@goodboybuddy1]

I could listen to you all day. Thanks

[@TheGruntski]

I find this painting to be quite interesting. The rider's position in the saddle is entirely correct in that he sits upright, his heels are down and feet are directly positioned under his center of mass. He carries the typical weapons which include a war hammer, bow and arrows, and sheathed on the right he carries a saber. On the off side such a rider would typically carry a long straight sword for stabbing, but the shape of the hilt here suggests another cutting sword, perhaps a lighter version, as suggested by the curator. The horse is odd as it's head is thrown up sharply so it is not 'in frame' as one would say. I wonder if the painter is conveying the idea that the horse is skittish over the unknown while the rider is entirely impassive, confident of his control. Certainly the reins are loose, indicating the riders confidence. Just a thought.

[@sandraeugeni7606]

What a pleasure to join this cocktails! Thanks very much.

[@citybeautifultours2714]

Thank you! What a wonderful idea

[@FintanK71]

That was fantastic. Thank you.

[@rc93013]

Another wonderful discussion...so insightful! Thank you :)

[@josephdavis4370]

Much enjoyed this! Great idea by the Frick, and well done! I enjoyed the history. It's one of my favorite paintings at the Frick. Personally, I would just have liked to learn more about the painting itself (its technique and so forth).

[@johntuffin3262]

Very good. Thank you.

[@Anthony8Raymond]

Mr. Salomon, Richard Brzezinski wrote in his book "Polish Armies 1569-1696 (1)" (1987) that Chroscicki identified the "Polish Rider" as "a portrait of a Lithuanian nobleman, Martin Alexander Oginski." The reference is from Mr. Chroscicki book "Are Auro Prior," Warsaw, 1981, p.441+. Has this been disproven? Or was it never proven and merely a mistake? Thank you for your insight. And thank you for your wonderful and engaging series!

[@evs950]

Beautiful Held quote from 1944 to end on.

[@susannacoffey6981]

THANK YOU!!!!!

[@carolynturvey5411]

I will run out and get bison grass Polish vodka right away! Thank God it is considered an essential item at my local supermarket.

[@brooksjewell7948]

This was my first event and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Just a wonderful combination of history, art history, and reflection. I would love it if they were a bit longer...but the snackable videos are great too. Nice job. Will be promoting this on my social feeds!

[@LutheranLiarNYC]

Brooks Jewell Take a look at the first one too: Bellini’s St. Francis. Also wonderful

[@jaydubya3698]

Such a great painting and thank you so much for the talk. I know there has been a lot of talk in the past about this painting not being an actual Rembrandt, but rather a painting that was executed by a student or someone in the school of Rembrandt. That being said, I'm not all that familiar with the arguments about it "not being right." Any comments?

[@irinavainrib3503]

Thank you for some normalcy during these not normal times

[@shylockwesker5530]

The Polish title of the painting suggests the man in the portrait is a mercenary from a company for hire Lisowczycy famous for brutality and effectiveness. So... he's probably looking at some burning village on his way out.

[@123garryb]

Thank you

[@drjpmacedo]

excelent !

[@peterkleinbard510]

I wish that in addition he had discussed the painting itself.

[@mariagavienas2806]

More please!!

[@pamhannah6769]

Thank you,

[@coolftp]

This painting shows (or was inspired) probably one of the riders belonging to the formation of light horse riding called "LISOWCZYCY". It is quite a controversial armed formation, which they feared even in Poland and which was also hired in Europe in various battles, but never against Catholics (this was one of the Liswoczyk's principles). More about them is here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisowczycy

[@mcleanedwards7748]

I like him he’s got touch even though the painting is not by Rembrandt it’s been de Rembrandted some time ago

[@helenar5346]

I am writing an essay on visual culture in 17th Century Poland for my Art History MA - what are the chances! Thank you for the insightful conversation :)

[@hansolo2121]

Helena R This painting has nothing to do with visual culture in 17th century Poland.... This is a Dutch painting painted in Amsterdam by Dutch painter Remrandt.

[@carolynturvey5411]

Like the Polish rider we are travelling through a country that no longer exists.

[@tomson70]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@123garryb]

Thank you. Maybe we will now open the bottle of bison grass vodka we have had since 1999..unopened. Is it still good?

[@bettifranceschi3004]

I believe I heard a rumor in the 1970s that there was doubt that The Polish Rider was affirmed as by Rembrandt's hand. Any further discussion or data on this?

[@ellenboswellschiefer4485]

You are a fine speaker and thank you for your astute presentation. MYSTERY is ALLURING ! What brand of Polish vodka is made from the bison grass please?

[@fenioxxx]

Żubrówka.

[@mgordo2]

Proportion of vodka to apple juice? Oh yes, and thanks for the talk.

[@susprime7018]

Will Belvedere do? Well, it turned out to be Skyy not Belvedere that has been in the freezer for the last 10 years, in any case it still made a tasty drink, thank you.

[@maralync.burstein5799]

Katherine the Great was quite the character!

[@thomasb6573]

Has this painting been restored? If not, perhaps that process would clarify the muddier elements.

[@pchabanowich]

Okay. I’m going to say it. Outside voice. I love you. There. Cin cin.

[@judithereines5729]

I’ll drink to that

[@nickybrodie5916]

ottawa canada in the house

[@dchristensen8191]

Minneapolis

[@sassoonalayn4999]

Very interesting and enlightening, but the authenticity of the piece as a Rembrandt has been put in doubt by the RRP (Rembrandt Research Project, Amsterdam), who is widely trusted. This may be open for discussion, but why not mention its at all?

[@heidir6715]

Their conclusion was that the main figure was, indeed, painted by Rembrandt and that his studio artists contributed to the background.

[@charliebrown5755]

And what's with the cocktails?

[@marcusend537]

Please, stop rewriting Lithuanian history. This painting, in fact, shows not a Polish, but a Lithuanian rider. Marcijonas Aleksandras Oginskis (the Oginskiai family is Lithuanian, not Polish family), was a Lithuanian nobleman, a military commander and a statesman of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (not Poland alone). He advanced to colonel in 1657, served as Voivod of Trakai and Grand Chancellor of Lithuania. He was the signatory of the Eternal Peace Treaty of 1686 with the Tsardom of Russia, on the side of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. He initiated the establishment of Dominicans in the Peninsula Castle of Trakai, which was approved in 1678. Since 1681, M. A. Oginskis was the owner of Vepriai and Deltuva (present day Lithuania), which were received from his aunt Barbora. M. A. Oginskis may be the subject of a much debated work Rembrand's "The Polish raider." The image was painted at the time he was studying in the Netherlands. It has been suggested that M. A. Oginskis had the portrait painted on the eve of his return to his military unit during the devastating Swedish invasions in the Deluge. By the way, term "Polish" during XVI-XIX c. is not an ethnic nationality, but only "formal name," so these people weren't the same Polish as you know today, it can be Lithuanian, Belorussian or Ukrainian, because the official name of our country was the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, when two nations Lithuanian and Polish made a union. So, you don't call Irish or Scottish people English?

[@haroldbridges515]

I thought the Rembrandt Committee had "Polish Rider" down as a fake. It's too bad that the informative bits in these videos from the Frick have to be wrapped in this fatuous "cocktail" nonsense.