Rembrandt (1606-1669)

Rembrandt was born in Leiden on July 15, 1606 – his full name is Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. His father was a miller and although he earned a modest living, he took great care of Rembrandt’s education. Rembrandt began his studies at the Latin School, and at the age of 14 he continued his education in the University of Leiden. However, he was not interested in the subjects studied in the university and left it to study art. His first art teacher was the local master Jacob van Swanenburch, and then, in Amsterdam, Peter Lastman. After six months of studying arts Rembrandt returned to Leiden, where was highly appreciated. His paintings are characterized by luxuriant brushwork, rich color and a mastery of chiaroscuro. As the greatest artist of the Dutch school, he was a master of light and shadow whose paintings, drawings and etchings made him s giant in the history of art. His early works are devoted to showing the lines, light and shade, and color of the people he saw around him. At these early ages of his career the works of Caravaggio and also of many other Italian artists influenced him. It was not late when he took his first pupils.

In 1631, when his career was flourishing, he moved to Amsterdam. There he became the leading portrait painter in Holland and received many commissions for portraits as well as for paintings of religious themes. In addition to portraits, Rembrandt attained fame for his landscapes, while as etcher he is among the best of all times. It is interesting that he had used himself as a model for portraits and that is why there are 50-60 self-portraits of him. In 1634, he married Saskia van Uylenburgh, the cousin of a successful art dealer. Of course, this had a positive effect on his career. He contacted with wealthy patrons who commissioned many portraits. A fine example from this period is the Portrait of Nicolaes Ruts (1631). In addition, Rembrandt’s mythological and religious works were highly in demand, and he painted numerous dramatic masterpieces one of which is The blinding of Samson (1636). Because of his fame many artists came to learn in his studio.

However, his personal life was marked by complete misfortune. Between 1635 and 1641 Saskia gave birth to four children of which only one, Titus, survived. One year later in 1642 she died at the age of 30. Hendrickje Stoffels engaged as his housekeeper in 1649, became hi common-law wife and was the model of most of his pictures. Despite Rembrandt’s financial success as an artist, teacher and art dealer, his penchant for ostentatious living forced him to declare bankruptcy in 1656. An inventory of his collection of art and antiquities, taken before an auction to pay his debts, showed the breadth of Rembrandt’s interests: ancient sculpture, Flemish and Italian Renaissance paintings, Far Eastern art, contemporary Dutch works, weapons and armor.

In the period between 1630 and 1640 he made many landscape drawings and etchings. His landscapes are imaginative, rich portrayals of the land around him. Rembrandt was at most inventive in the work known as The Night Watch (1642). His family problems did not affect his work and he produced 600 paintings, 300 etchings, and 1400 drawings. Some of the most famous are: St. Paul in Prison (1627), Supper at Emmaus (1630), The Anatomy Lesson of Dr.Nicolaes Tulp (1632), Yong Blessing the Sons of Joseph (1656), The Syndics of the Cloth Guild (1661) and The Jewish Bride (1665).

However, his personal life continued to be marked with sorrow. His wife died in 1663, and his son, Titus, in 1668 – only 27 years old. Eleventh months later, on October 4, 1669, Rembrandt died in Amsterdam.

For today’s students of art, Rembrandt remains, as the Dutch painter Josef Israels said, “the true type of artist, free, untrammeled by traditions. His free style was showed by the variety of spheres in which he painted: nudes, landscapes, portraits, everyday scenes, birds and animals, biblical subjects and self-portraits are all to be found in his creations.