Artist of the day, September 21, 2020: Rembrandt, A Dutch painter

Rembrandt (1606-1669) was born in Leiden, his full name Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. He was the son of a miller. Despite the fact that he came from a family of relatively modest means, his parents took great care with his education. Rembrandt began his studies at the Latin School, and at the age of 14 he was enrolled at the University of Leiden. The program did not interest him, and he soon left to study art - first with a local master, Jacob van Swanenburch, and then, in Amsterdam, with Pieter Lastman, known for his historical paintings. After six months, having mastered everything he had been taught, Rembrandt returned to Leiden, where he was soon so highly regarded that although barely 22 years old, he took his first pupils. One of his students was the famous artist Gerrit Dou.

Rembrandt moved to Amsterdam in 1631; his marriage in 1634 to Saskia van Uylenburgh, the cousin of a successful art dealer, enhanced his career, bringing him in contact with wealthy patrons who eagerly commissioned portraits. An exceptionally fine example from this period is the Portrait of Nicolaes Ruts (1631). In addition, Rembrandt's mythological and religious works were much in demand, and he painted numerous dramatic masterpieces such as The Blinding of Samson (1636). Because of his renown as a teacher, his studio was filled with pupils, some of whom (such as Carel Fabritius) were already trained artists. In the 20th century, scholars have reattributed a number of his paintings to his associates; attributing and identifying Rembrandt's works is an active area of art scholarship.

Rembrandt produced many of his works in this fashionable town house in Amsterdam. Purchased by the artist in 1639, when he was 33, it proved to be the scene of personal tragedy: his wife and three of his children died here. The house became a financial burden, and in 1660 Rembrandt was forced to move. A new owner added the upper story and roof, giving it the appearance it still bears. In 1911 the Dutch movement made it a Rembrandt museum -preserving it both as a shrine of a revered national artist and as an imposing example of 17th Century Dutch architecture.

In contrast to his successful public career, however, Rembrandt's family life was marked by misfortune. Between 1635 and 1641 Saskia gave birth to four children, but only the last, Titus, survived; her own death came in 1642- at the age of 30. Hendrickje Stoffels, engaged as his housekeeper about 1649, eventually became his common-law wife and was the model for many 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. Unfortunately, the results of the auction - including the sale of his house - were disappointing.

These problems in no way affected Rembrandt's work; if anything, his artistry increased. His personal life, however, continued to be marred by sorrow. His beloved Hendrickje died in 1663, and his son, Titus, in 1668- only 27 years of age. Eleven months later, on October 4, 1669, Rembrandt died in Amsterdam.

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Self-Portrait

 The Stoning of Saint Stephen, 1625

 A young Rembrandt, 1628

 Self-Portrait in a Gorget, 1629

 Andromeda, 1630

 Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem, 1630

 Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, 1632

 The Abduction of Europa, 1632.

 The Philosopher in Meditation, 1632

  The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, 1633

 Portrait of Saskia van Uylenburgh, 1633–34

 Self-Portrait with Velvet Beret and Furred Mantle, 1634

 Portrait of Saskia van Uylenburgh, 1635

 Sacrifice of Isaac, 1635

 Saskia as Flora, 1635

 The Prodigal Son in the Tavern, 1635

 Danaë, 1636

 Belshassar's Feast, 1636-38

 A Polish Nobleman, 1637

 An elephant, 1637

 Self-portrait leaning on a Sill, 1639

 Scholar at his Writing Table, 1641

 The Girl in a Picture Frame, 1641

 The Night Watch or The Militia Company of Captain Frans Banning Cocq, 1642

 The Mill, 1648

 Self-Portrait, 1652

 An Old Man in Red, 1652–54

 A Woman Bathing in a Stream, 1654

 Young Girl at the Window, 1654

 Self-portrait, Vienna, 1655

 Self Portrait, 1658

 Rembrandt's son Titus, as a monk, 1660

 Saint Bartholomew, 1661

 The evangelist Matthew and the Angel, 1661

 The Syndics of the Drapers' Guild, 1662

 The Jewish Bride, 1665–69

 Self-portrait, 1669