Rembrandt Van Rijn was a famous Dutch artist born in 1606 in Leiden. He moved to Amsterdam and established a successful studio, but faced tragedy with the deaths of his wife and children. Rembrandt painted hundreds of works, including self-portraits, biblical scenes, and portraits of wealthy patrons, but faced financial troubles late in life and died in 1669 in an unmarked grave.

1. Rembrandt Van Rijn Welcome to the webpage of the famous artist, Rembrandt Van Rijn. Use the buttons below to navigate! Life His works His Times Profession

2. The Life of Rembrandt Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was born on July 15, 1606 in Leiden, the Netherlands. He was the ninth child in a well-to-do family. For an education, he attended Latin school, and then the University of Leiden. In 1631, after Rembrandt had already gained a reputation for himself as an excellent painter, he moved to the city of Amsterdam. In 1634, he married a woman named Saskia van Uylenburg. The two established a moderately wealthy household, but soon, tragedy struck. Three of their four children died in early childhood, and only one, Titus, managed to survive until adulthood. Saskia herself died of TB in 1642. In the interval, Rembrandt indulged in a love affair with his son’s nurse, Geetje Dircx and eventually had to pay an alimony to her after a breach of promise. He then had a relationship with Hendrickje Stoffels. The Church to which he belonged looked down upon him and labeled him as one who lived in sin. Eventually, although he continued with art commissions, Rembrandt fell deep into debt and could hardly be shielded from creditors. He died on October 4, 1669 and was buried in an unmarked grave in Westerkerk. “ Chose only one master –nature” - Rembrandt Home His works His Times Profession

4. The Important Works Here are some of Rembrandt’s magnificent paintings. Click on the thumbnails to learn more. Home His works His Times Profession

5. This painting is titled The Ass of Balaam Talking Before the Angel. It is a historical/biblical depiction. It was painted in 1626, when Rembrandt just began his career. In those days, he often painted historical scenes, because he was apprenticed to a history painter in Leiden. Back

6. This is a self portrait of Rembrandt, painted in 1629. Rembrandt avidly studied the human physiognomy through painting self-portraits, and through his lifetime, painted more than 100. Back

7. This painting is The Rise of Lazarus. It symbolizes an important turning point in his life, because it was painted directly after he was officially discovered and commissioned to paint for the Court of Hague. Back

8. This is portrait of Rembrandt’s son, Titus. Titus is shown in many of Rembrandt’s paintings, probably because he is Rembrandt’s only surviving child and therefore very dear to the painter. Back

9. This is a self-portrait in one of the last series Rembrandt painted. The misery apparent in the expression of the portrait shows the hardships (financial or otherwise) that Rembrandt had to endure in the latter half of his life. Back