Rembrandt: the artist giving philosemitism a good name

Philosemitism the appreciation of Jewish culture has been hotly debated of late, in the wake of a new book by Julie Burchill and against a backdrop of Middle Eastern conflict. We should look to Rembrandt and Michelangelo to celebrate its true spirit

They are a glowing union of life and light surrounded by darkness, two orbiting stars whose luminous love may be the only warmth in an otherwise empty barren universe. The man gently touches the womans chest. Both have eyes of infinite gentleness, a noble yet humble tenderness.

In the National Gallery, Rembrandts masterpiece of love and inwardness is called Couple Posing as Isaac and Rebecca, and can currently be seen in the great exhibition Rembrandt: The Late Works but its popular title is The Jewish Bride. That traditional name seems fitting to me, for it conveys the philosemitism of one of Europes greatest painters.

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