Abstract
In Rembrandt's oeuvre themes from Jewish culture and life often appear. This has led a number of authors speculate on the painter's possible attraction to and fascination by Jews and their culture.
This essay seeks to discuss the thesis whether Rembrandt's presumed attraction and sensitivity to the otherness embodied by the Jews of early modern Amsterdam is a myth. It first surveys different variations of the myth of "Rembrandt and the Jews" briefly.
Secondly, the arguments for Rembrandt's supposed fascination with Jews are considered, with special attention to the painting Belshazzar's Feast. Afterwards, the paper discusses some contemporary scholarly positions on the topic.
Finally, the author seeks to introduce his own position in which he argues that although Rembrandt might have been attracted to the otherness embodied by Jews, he was not very sensitive to it. The paper tries to show that Rembrandt was fascinated with his own abstract concept of otherness rather than with real Jews.