Rembrandt van Rijn was a famous Dutch painter from 1606-1669 known for his mastery of light and shadow. While his style contrasted with the Baroque period, he is considered one of the greatest painters of the Dutch Golden Age for works like "The Night Watch." Rembrandt was skilled at depicting the human condition and used various techniques like strong brushstrokes and leaving white spaces to suggest depth. His works covered religious scenes, portraits, and landscapes through different stages of his career.

1. Rembrandt van Rijn
The Night Watch

2. Background
• 1606 - 1669
• Most paintings exhibited his knowledge of iconography.
• One of the most famous painters in the world.
• His work contributed to the Dutch Golden Age and the
Baroque Period.
• Most of his work was antithetical to baroque styles and
characteristics.
• Due to his empathy for the human condition, he is known as
“one of the great prophets of civilization.”

3. Works
Self-Portrait 1652 Aristotle With a Bust of Homer

4. Works
Musical Allegory The Storm on the Sea of Galilee

5. Works
Elephant

6. Characteristics
1. Visual Aspects
- optical theory (stereo blindness)
- strong contrasts of light and shadow
- rich colors and strong brushstrokes
- smooth painting style in his early career
- rough painting style toward the end of his career
- left large areas of white to suggest space
- evidence of well handling of light
- great variety of paint application

7. Characteristics
2. Thematic aspects
- typical kinds of paintings for his day
- natural drama & quiet Dutch rural scenes (etchings)
- style similar to Titian toward the end of his life
- strong Biblical themes
^shifted from group scenes to reflective portraits
- strong Greco-Roman mythical themes
^mostly portraits as opposed to group scenes
- coarse painting style
^frowned upon by critics
^even dissuaded viewers from looking too closely

8. Leo Yang
L. Greenburg
Art 103
12.06.2012