About the Artist: Rembrandt van Rijn

He was born in 1606 in the Netherlands, Rembrant, more popularly known as Rembrandt, and was a Dutch printmaker and painter – also credited to be one of the greatest artists and storytellers in the history of art. He was able to capture people in their natural being and guises. History also credits Rembrandt as an artist who used light and shade to portray his uncompromising realism, leading history critics to state that the painters' preferences leaned more towards ugliness than beauty. 

Throughout his career, the central theme consists of biblical pieces and some mythological, historical, and allegorical works, all done in pen and ink or chalk. The changes seen in his work over time were gradual and remarkable. His take on composition and his interpretation of color, brushwork, and contour were all subject to abrupt changes, often gradual. 

Unlike many artists of the time, Rembrandt did not belong to a family dominated by art or craft. Instead, he belonged to a family of bakers. In 1616 he attended the Latin School in Leiden, where he picked up inspiration for his work from the emphasis on orating. This allowed him to stage and develops his pieces, drawings, and historic etchings. He began to train for his skill from 1620 to 1625 and succeeded two masters – Jacob van Swanenburgh and Peter Lastman. 

Stylistic arguments throughout time speculate about the influence of Jan Lievens – another child prodigy and artist, on Rembrandt since both of them worked closely for a few years; however, concrete history does not say much about this. In 1625, Rembrandt moved to Leiden, and during the next six years, he paved the foundations for many of his following art pieces. Much of his beginning work took inspiration from Lastmans art, but there was always some composition mixed on his own, which allowed him to develop his style. 

His legacy in art and craftsmanship remains a central topic of grasp. His outstanding talent for capturing emotions and realism proves that he was gifted as an artist. 

His portrayal of sensitivity and freedom widened the possibilities of composition and provided sharp originality and uniqueness. He is known in history and art as someone who innovated and used techniques that stood out and are still studied in-depth.

Here are Other Paintings by Rembrandt van Rijn (my personal favorites).

• Portrait of a Young Woman with a Fan (1633)

• Belshazzar's feast (from 1634 until 1639)

• The Denial of St Peter (1660)

• The Descent from the Cross (1650-1652)

• The Apostle Paul (c. 1657)

• Saul and David (c. 1651 - 1654)

• Head of Saint Matthew (probably early 1660s)

• Philemon and Baucis (1658)

• Joseph Accused by Potiphar's Wife (1655)

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