About Rembrandt

Rembrandt van Rijn

 was born in Leiden on July 15, 1606.  He came from a family of relatively modest means, but nonetheless, received a great deal of education. Rembrandt began his studies at the Latin School, and at the age of 14 he was enrolled at the University of Leiden. Soon after, however, he left to study art with local master Jacob van Swanenburch, and later, in Amsterdam, with Pieter Lastman. After six months, at the age of 21, Rembrandt returned to Leiden and began accepting art students into his studio that he opened with friend Jan Lievens. 

Rembrandt moved to Amsterdam in 1631, where he soon married Saskia van Uylenburgh, the cousin of a successful art dealer whose contacts with wealthy patrons advanced Rembrandt's career. Saskia proved to be a common subject in Rembrandt's works, as was religion, mythology, self-portraits and portraits of wealthy patrons, and landscapes.

Saskia and Rembrandt moved into a fashionable house in Amsterdam, where Rembrandt would produce many of his most famous works. However, the mortgage proved to be a financial burden, as Rembrandt made some risky investments and often spent lavishly (including buying other art works and acquiring a large collection), causing him to lose more money than he made in commissions. Rembrandt and his wife had four children, three of which died within two months of being born. Saskia later died a year after the birth of their son Titus.

After Saskia's death, Rembrandt began a relationship with the much-younger Hendrickje Stoffels, who had once been his maid. They became engaged in a common-law marriage, and she modeled for many of his pictures.

Rembrandt's lofty spending eventually forced him to declare bankruptcy in 1656 and sell the majority of his art collection as well home in Amsterdam.  soon after in 1660. However, Rembrandt continued producing high-quality pieces until his death in 1669. He is now known as one of the most celebrated Baroque painters and printmakers of all time. He is also widely regarded as the greatest master of etching in the history of the medium.