Rembrandt

Rembrandt van Rijn was a Dutch painter widely regarded as one of the greatest artists in history. Born in Leiden in 1606, he became famous in Amsterdam for portraits, biblical scenes, and group pictures, most notably the dramatic militia painting known as The Night Watch. His mastery of light and shadow gave his figures extraordinary depth and humanity.

He was also a superb printmaker and an unflinching observer of himself, painting dozens of self-portraits that track his face from confident youth to careworn old age. Despite his fame he suffered financial ruin and deep personal losses in later life, which seem to deepen the tenderness of his work. Rembrandt's ability to reveal the inner life of his subjects has never been surpassed.