Rembrandt

Rembrandt is one of the greatest masters of the age of Dutch painting.

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was born on July 15,1606 in Leiden Netherlands to Harmen Gerritsz van Rijn, and Cornelia Neeltgen Willemsdr. van Zuytbroeck. Rembrandt's father was a miller and his mother the daughter of a baker. Even though his family lived modestly his parents took great care with his education.

Rembrandt started his studies at Latin school and enrolled at the University of Leiden at the age of 14. He soon left university to to study art - first with Jacob van Swanenburch, and then, in Amsterdam, with Pieter Lastman, known for his historical paintings.

At the age of 22, Rembrandt began to take on students. Some of his students were the famous artist like Gerrit Dou, Ferdinand Bol, Carel Fabritius, Govert Flinck, Arent (Aert) de Gelder and Nicolaes Maes.

In 1631, Rembrandt moved to Amsterdam.

In 1634, Rembrandt married Saskia van Uylenburgh, the cousin of a successful art dealer who introduced Rembrandt to wealthy patrons who commissioned portraits. The Portrait of Nicolaes Ruts is an example of the type of portraits he painted during that period.

In his final years Rembrandt painted masterpieces such as David and Saul (1657) and The Jewish Bride (1665).

On October 4, 1669 Rembrandt died in Amsterdam and was buried in the Westerkerk.