It’s been a while since I posted on the blog. We have been BUSY here at Queensboro, but that’s a good thing, right? If you are registered to get our emails, you already get your daily dose of me in your inbox. If you aren’t registered, well, come on over and sign up! Without further ado, my random scribble of the day:
Hollywood Endings
Hollywood loves stories of struggles. Many films have been about brilliant artists who suffered poverty and disdain during their lives only to be recognized as geniuses after their deaths. This story line is so attractive to some screenwriters that they sometimes weave it into pictures where it doesn’t belong. Take, for example, the case of some movies based on the life of the Dutch painter Rembrandt.
Several movie biographies would have us believe that this artist was an uneducated child of poor peasants. After a short period of fame, his brilliant work confused the public. The final blow came when the burghers of the city of Amsterdam were infuriated by his portrayal of many of them in “The Night Watch.” After this disgrace, the misunderstood artist was unable to find paying work and was driven to madness, painting numerous self-portraits whenever he could scrounge the materials to do so.
Fact or Fiction?
As a tale, it has some dramatic opportunities. It does, however, suffer from one crucial fault. It is, for the most part, completely untrue.
Rembrandt was born to family of modest means. His father was a miller. They did, however, take great pains to make sure he received an education. He began his studies at the Latin School, and at the age of 14 he was enrolled at the University of Leiden. He soon left the university, though, to study art with various painters.
He learned his lessons well. By the age of 22, Rembrandt was a respected artist. Wealthy patrons were eager to have him paint their portraits. By the age of 30, Rembrandt was rather well off. His dramatic masterpieces were in demand and his studio was filled with pupils eager to learn from the master.
At the age of 33, he moved in to a fashionable town house in Amsterdam. Although his masterpiece, “The Night Watch” did stir some controversy, Rembrandt continued to receive commissions for his work. Some of his most respected paintings were created years after “The Night Watch” was unveiled.
Although he was making substantial amounts of money, he was also spending it at a rather brisk pace. He bought paintings created by the Flemish and Italian Renaissance masters. He spent vast sums on ancient sculpture and Far Eastern art. He also enjoyed collecting armor and weapons.
In short, he was living way beyond his means.
This habit has a tendency to catch up you after a while. Rembrandt was eventually forced to sell virtually everything he owned, including the fashionable townhouse, to pay his debts.
In these economic times, we’re all familiar with tales of folks living beyond their means. Some people do it by buying houses they can’t afford. Some people do it by collecting classic cars. A few have probably even done it by taking out loans to purchase Rembrandt paintings.
A more common method of living beyond your means occurs when people invest way too much money in their business casual attire. Looking good is important, but it doesn’t have to be expensive.
For instance, Our Business Casual Buttondown Twills are made from a sturdier 100% cotton fabric than most commercial twills. They’re tailored for additional durability and long-term shape retention. They have the classic buttondown style that inspires confidence. And, they’re on sale for the next few days! If only Rembrandt had Queensboro Twills to wear, he might not have had to sell his house, and wouldn’t have lost the shirt off his back.
Do you need some twills?
Head on over to our friendly website. They’re on sale today! As always, our order minimum is any combination of just four of the many great items we sell (except hats, which require a four-hat minimum), and our Industry-Unique Unconditional Ten-Year Guarantee backs everything we sell.
Best Wishes-
Fred Meyers, President and Founder
