Rembrandt

Latijnse school Lokhorststraat 16 Leiden

SA 8422-De Kloveniersdoelen aan de Amstel-De Kloveniersburgwal op de hoek van de Amstel met de toren "Swijgh Utrecht"

Cornelis Springer, Afb 010001000785

Rembrandt van Rijn - Rembrandts zoon Titus in monniksdracht (Rijksmuseum Amsterdam)

Stadsarchief Amsterdam, Afb ANWO00139000001

Rembrandt-Civilis-recto-1

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (15 July 1606 – 4 October 1669) was a Dutch painter and etcher. He is generally considered one of the greatest painters and printmakers in European art and the most important in Dutch history. His contributions to art came in a period of great wealth and cultural achievement that historians call the Dutch Golden Age, in which Dutch art (especially Dutch painting), although in many ways antithetical to the Baroque style that dominated Europe, was extremely prolific and innovative.

Biography

Rembrandt was born in Leiden, in the Dutch Republic, now the Netherlands. He was the ninth child born to Harmen Gerritszoon van Rijn and Neeltgen Willemsdochter van Zuytbrouck. His family was quite well-to-do; his father was a miller and his mother was a baker's daughter. Religion is a central theme in Rembrandt's works and, although his family was quite liberal, Rembrandt's upbringing was marked by religious freedom.

Rembrandt began his studies under the history painter Jacob van Swanenburg, before moving on to study under Pieter Lastman in Amsterdam, who was a notable painter of historical subjects. After six months, he returned to Leiden and set up his own studio, but he continued to collaborate and study with other artists, including Jan Lievens. In 1631, Rembrandt moved to Amsterdam, which at the time was rapidly expanding, and began to practice as a professional portraitist for the first time, with great success.

Artistic Style and Techniques

Rembrandt's work is characterized by his innovative use of lighting and shadow, his rich color palette, and his expressive brushwork. His deep understanding of human emotion, combined with his mastery of realism, allowed him to capture a wide range of human expressions and emotions with unprecedented depth and realism. He was not afraid to depict the imperfections of his subjects, making his work feel more authentic and human.

Rembrandt was a master of both painting and etching, a technique he used to great effect to produce works that were rich in detail and texture. He experimented with a wide range of subjects, including portraits, landscapes, historical scenes, biblical and mythological themes, and self-portraits. His self-portraits form a unique and intimate autobiography, in which the artist surveyed himself without vanity and with the utmost sincerity.

Legacy

Rembrandt's influence on the art world has been profound and enduring. He is praised for his empathy for the human condition, as well as his innovative techniques. His ability to convey the complexity of human emotions and to create a sense of intimacy with the viewer was unparalleled. His techniques and approaches to composition, lighting, and expression have influenced countless artists throughout history.

Rembrandt's art is celebrated for its beauty, emotion, and realism. Museums around the world, including the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Rembrandt House Museum, and the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, house extensive collections of his work. His legacy is not only in his vast number of paintings and etchings but also in his approach to teaching; several of Rembrandt's pupils went on to become great artists, further propagating his techniques and artistic values.

See Also

• Dutch Golden Age
• Baroque art
• History of painting