Rembrandt

Was born in Amsterdam on 15 July 1606. He was the son of a wealthy miller (whose mill was located on the banks of the Rhine river, from where probably Rembrandt got his name) and the daughter of a prosperous baker. He grew up, therefore, in a rather well-to-do family. His father, noticing his predisposition towards his studies tried to guide him towards university studies at Leiden but he abandoned then in 1620 to dedicate himself to painting. He entered the workshop of Jacob van Swannenbergh as an apprentice and remained there for three years. It was there that he learned the general knowledge necessary for the basics in drawing. He then stayed in Amsterdam with Peter Lastman, a famed painter in Holland who had studied in Italy, for six months. It was then that he began to feel the influence of Elseheimer, a German chiaroscuro painter, and through him and Lastman, he began to appreciate Caravaggio. These two painters who influenced him were both important in the Dutch school of art. After leaving Lastman, he returned to Leiden where he established himself as a successful painter, obtaining many commissions to paint portraits. In his first works of art and until 1631, the predominant colour is a greenish-grey and in the paintings of biblical and religious themes - "Saint Paul in Prison", "The Presentation at the Temple", "Samson Imprisoned" - a careful study of the light is shown (a characteristic of this painter). He then moved to Amsterdam, a city that had greatly prospered thanks to the sale of fabrics and where it was anticipated that more would be made from trade than from art. But this was not the case as this was one of the most productive periods in Dutch art. Of all Europe, the Holland of the XVIIth century is perhaps one of the countries that is best represented in its activities through painting. It can be seen how life developed at all levels, from scenes in the taverns of the low classes, where there were opium smoking lounges and excessive drinking, to the almost elegant paintings of the middle class. Those paintings depicting country scenes show, with great pride, the energetic school of landscape painting, and others were dedicated to the detailed study of the Dutch personality. Rembrandt and Frans Hals were the two most important painters out of many who dedicated themselves to painting the portraits of the noble, and the not so noble, Dutch. On reaching Amsterdam he settled down in the house of merchant of paintings, and it is thought that there he saw for the first time Saskia - who was to become his wife (she belonged to a wealthy family and brought a rich dowry to the marriage). They had four children, of which only one, Tito, survived. His arrival in the city and his marriage were only the beginning of his success, popularity and happiness, and the start of the second period of his style of painting. Light, which was concentrated on the principal figures of the composition, produced the magic effects of colour while the backgrounds remained in a mysterious dimness. In 1632 he received his first important commission. The surgeons of Amsterdam requested him to paint on the anatomy lesson of Dr. Tulp in the front. This was a very common theme of those times and his "Lesson of Anatomy" became very popular. Tulp was a well known surgeon and Rembrandt, who was given this unique opportunity, knew how to make the best of it. It was then that the Head of State, Frederick Hendrik, entrusted him to make a series on the Passion. Later he started to paint landscapes, which are characterized by a criss-crossing of really dramatic light effects with scenes elaborated in such a manner that they are saved from being overly melodramatic because of the observation and play of light. Between 1640 and 1650 he reached his zenith and the predominant hues are golds with lights and shadows. There are many paintings from this prestigious period, in which Rembrandt was surrounded by friends and followers. He lived in luxury, worked very hard and treasured certain objects in his house. In 1642, on a request from the Head of State, he painted " Company of Captain Banning Cocq" (the theme is a collective portrait that was known for many years until it was cleaned as "Night Watch" ). This painting seems to have been a turning point in his life. Saskia, whom he had profoundly loved, died. The right corner of his painting "Night Watch" was brutally mutilated when it was cut 20 cm in height shortly after it was finished, because it did not fit inthe place for which it had been destined. Today it is considered one of the greatest paintings of the history of art. He hired a nurse for his son, Titus and shortly afterwards, she became his lover, although later she went mad and had to be put in a mental institution. Another nurse, 22 year-old Hendrickje Stoffels, was engaged for Titus and she also became Rembrandt`s lover and stayed with him until his death. Holland, dominated by rigorous Calvinism, was scandalized by his irregular life of living with a maid and even went as far as to throw the young girl out of a church. This life full of anguish, his poor handling of his finances and lack of work led him to bankruptcy. He had to mortgage his house and soon later abandoned it to occupy a smaller one in Rosengracht. This neighbourhood was full of Jews who had emigrated from Spain and Portugal and he felt quite attracted to them and drew as well as painted the portraits of some of the more distinguished members of the community. Some of them even posed for his paintings on biblical themes, "The Adulteress" and "The Good Samaritan". He also painted mythological themes. When his daughter Cornelia was born, a new scandal broke out as she was the fruit of his union with the nurse he had made his model and lover. Everything he owned was auctioned off for less than its real value when he found himself in economic ruins, and not even then was he able to pay all his debts. In order to protect his family, he signed a contract leaving the management of his affairs in the hands of both Titus and Hendrickje. They became dealers in art and paid Rembrandt a salary, as he had no head for business and was interested in little else than his work and was,at that moment, trying to concentrate on loosening his strokes. It was in this period that he painted many self-portraits (the threshold into his old age) and he soon drifted into isolation. During his last years he again became a respectable man and received new commissions for work, which were to continue until his death. This was the period of his greatest achievements. In 1654 he painted the portrait of his protector, Jan Six. That same year he painted "Homer", on request of a merchant, Ruffo, who had already entrusted him to do other paintings. He was also summoned to decorate the Municipal Building of Amsterdam. This work "The Conspiracy of Julius Civilis", was never placed in the original site that had been intended for it as it was returned to Rembrandt to make some corrections but he never gave it back. At this time, he also painted "The lovers", "Saint Peter denying Christ", and many others. When Rembrandt died on 4 October 1669 (both his son Titus and Hendrickje had died before), he was only survived by his daughter, Cornelia. His painting "Simeon at the Temple" was left unfinished in his study as well as numerous etching projects. As an etcher, Rembrandt was not only genial but also prolific. He used many themes from portraits, landscapes and biblical stories. His self-portraits were also an important contribution as never before had any painter made as many throughout his entire life - from youth to old age - as he had done. His portraits are the result of intense studies more than personal egotism. He depicted himself in different attitudes - laughing, hoping, scornful, trusting, disdainful, anguished and happy - showing all the aspects of his personality until he reached the last where he saw himself in his senile decadence.