REMBRANDT

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was born on July 15, 1606 in Leiden, Holland, a short distance from Amsterdam. He was the eighth of nine children. Rembrandt's father, Harmen Gerritszoon van Rijn, was a miller and his mother, Neeltgen Willemdochter vanZuytbrouch, was the daughter of a baker. At a young age, Rembrandt's parents enrolled him at the Latin School in Leiden to prepare him for a learned profession. Rembrandt studied religion and learned the Latin version of his name, "Rembrandus Harmensis Leidensis." At the time, he adopted the monogram "RHL" that he later used in signing his early works of art.

Rembrandt went to the University of Leiden in 1620, but left a short time later to study his real love - drawing and painting.

In 1623, Rembrandt moved to Amsterdam to study with Pieter Lastman, one of the most famous artists in Holland at the time. Lastman introduced Rembrandt to the outstanding style of Caravaggio - power, naturalism and magical depths created by light and shadow. Rembrandt returned to Leiden in 1626, and began making a living teaching other students and creating commissioned portraits and paintings for wealthy patrons.

In 1643, Rembrandt married Saskia van Uylenburgh, the daughter of a successful art dealer. Although Rembrandt experienced some financial success, his personal life was filled with tragedy and misfortune. Between 1635 and 1641, Saskia gave birth to four children, only one of whom survived, a son, Titus. This tragedy was compounded when Saskia died in 1642 while Titus was still a baby. Saskia's inheritance was divided between Titus and Rembrandt. Rembrandt, who was known for his lavish lifestyle, reportedly spent the greater portion of Titus' share.

To care for Titus, Rembrandt hired a nursemaid, Geertje Dircx. Following a dispute between Rembrandt and Geertje which culminated in a court battle, Rembrandt began a relationship with another woman, Hendrickje Stoffels, who was twenty years his junior.

Over the years, Hendrickje became Rembrandt's devoted companion. Although they never married, they had two children, the first of which died in infancy. Rembrandt named their second child, a daughter, Cornelia, in memory of his two daughters who had not survived. Because Rembrandt and Hendrickje never married, Hendrickje was summoned before the church and punished for fornication with Rembrandt. She remained devoted to him until her death in 1663, at the age of 37.

Rembrandt's penchant for ostentatious living eventually led him to financial ruin. His insatiable desire to acquire art and poor management of his financial affairs forced him to declare bankruptcy in 1656.

A large portion of his collection of art and antiques was auctioned to pay his debts. Prior to that time, it is believed that Rembrandt placed some of his most precious possessions with Hendrickje for safe keeping. Rembrandt's home was also auctioned and he was forced to move with Titus, Hendrickje and little Cornelia to a modest cottage outside of Amsterdam.

Rembrandt was unable to recover his fortune, and through the years his family and friends assisted him in protecting his most prized possessions. In 1658, when Titus was 17, Titus and Hendrickje began an art dealing business and employed Rembrandt. Then, in 1663, tragedy struck and Titus died. Rembrandt was heartbroken and died six years later in 1669 at age 63. He is buried near his home in Amsterdam.

Despite these tragedies in his personal life, Rembrant worked steadfastly at his art. Although Rembrandt is most famous for his paintings, his true genius is best portrayed in his mastery of the medium of etching. Whether his subject was a Biblical scene, a portrait or a landscape of the Dutch countryside, Rembrant's art reflects his focus on the interrelationship between God, nature and humanity.