Portraiture by Rembrandt Harmens van Rijn. Biography of Rembrandt
And his work, presented in the article, will introduce you to one of greatest artists of all times. Rembrandt Harmens van Rijn (life - 1606-1669) - famous Dutch painter, etcher and draftsman. His work is permeated with the desire to comprehend the essence of life, as well as inner world person. Rembrandt was interested in the richness of spiritual experiences inherent in people. The creativity of this artist is the pinnacle Dutch art 17th century. It is also considered one of the most important pages artistic culture all over the world. Even people far from painting know his works. Rembrandt is an amazing artist whose life and work will certainly interest you.
Rembrandt's artistic heritage
The artistic heritage that he left us is extremely diverse. Rembrandt painted portraits, landscapes, still lifes, and genre scenes. He created paintings based on mythological, biblical, historical topics, as well as other works. Rembrandt is an unsurpassed master of etching and drawing.
Life in Leiden
Rembrandt's life in 1620 was marked by a short period of study at Leiden University. Then he decided to devote his life entirely to art. To this end, he studied first in Leiden with J. van Swanenburch (around 1620-23), and then in Amsterdam with P. Lastman (in 1623). Between 1625 and 1631 the artist worked in Leiden. Rembrandt created his first works here.
It should be noted that his works dating back to the Leiden period are characterized by the search for creative independence of the author, despite the fact that the influence of Lastman, as well as representatives of Dutch Caravaggism, is noticeable in them. An example is the work “Bringing to the Temple,” created around 1628-29. In “The Apostle Paul” (circa 1629-30), as well as in “Simeon in the Temple” (1631), the artist first resorted to chiaroscuro as a means designed to enhance the emotional expressiveness and spirituality of the images. At the same time, Rembrandt worked hard on the portrait. He studied facial expressions.
1630 years in the life of Rembrandt
An important event in the life of the master occurred in 1632. The biography of the artist Rembrandt was marked by the move to Amsterdam. His biography relating to this time is as follows.
In Amsterdam, the artist we are interested in soon got married. His chosen one was Saskia van Uylenburgh, a wealthy patrician (her portrait is presented above). This woman was an orphan. Her father was a member of the Friesland council, burgomaster of Leeverden. Saskia's two brothers were lawyers. Among this woman's relatives are many government officials and scientists. She brought a ray of happiness into the artist’s lonely home. Rembrandt furnished his house with many rare objects, as a result of which it became a real museum. The master spent a lot of time in junk shops, sales and auctions. He bought prints and paintings, Indian and Chinese carved trinkets, old weapons, statues, valuable crystal and porcelain. All these things served as the background for the paintings he created. They inspired the artist. Rembrandt loved to dress his wife in velvet, brocade and silk. He showered her with pearls and diamonds. His life was easy and joyful, full of creativity, labor and love. In general, the 1630s are a time of family happiness and great artistic success.
Portraits of the 1630s
All portraits dating back to the 1630s demonstrate Rembrandt's subtlety and powers of observation. This brings him closer to Keyser, van der Helst, Rubens and Van Dijk. These paintings are usually made on a light gray, flat background. His works are often oval in format. Rembrandt created portraits that amaze with their enormous plastic power. It is achieved by simplifying chiaroscuro and black and white harmony, as well as by directing the model’s gaze. All works are full of dignity, attracting attention with composition and dynamic ease. The paintings of the Amsterdam period, compared to the Leiden ones, have a smoother texture. The rhythm of the hands has symbolic meaning(the artist deliberately does not show one hand). This, as well as the turn of the figure’s head, recalls the variability and transience of the Baroque.
Characteristics of some portraits of 1630
When describing the life and work of Rembrandt during this period, one cannot help but turn to the portraits he created. They are quite numerous. Rembrandt's "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp" (pictured above) was created in 1632. In it, the author took an innovative approach to solving the problem of a group portrait, resulting in a relaxed composition. Rembrandt united all the people represented in the painting with a single action. This work brought him great fame.
In other portraits, created according to numerous orders, the artist carefully conveyed clothing, facial features, and jewelry. One example is the work “Portrait of a Burgrave”, which was painted in 1636 by Rembrandt Garmens van Rijn. The life and work of any artist are closely interconnected. For example, portraits of people close to Rembrandt, as well as his self-portraits (one of them, created in 1634, is presented above), are more varied and freer in composition. In them, the artist was not afraid to experiment, striving for psychological expressiveness. Here we should also mention a self-portrait created in 1634, and “Smiling Saskia”, painted in 1633.
The famous painting “Merry Society”, or “Self-Portrait with Saskia” (photo of this work is presented above), completed the quest of this period. It was painted around 1635. The life and work of the artist are revealed in a special way in this work. In it, he boldly breaks with the canons that existed at that time. The painting stands out for its free manner of painting, the lively spontaneity of the composition, as well as the light-filled, major, colorful palette.
Biblical compositions and mythological scenes 1630
In the 1630s, the artist also created biblical compositions. One of the most famous is the “Sacrifice of Abraham”. It dates back to 1635. Biblical compositions of this time are marked by the influence of Italian Baroque painting. Its impact is manifested in the dynamics of the composition (somewhat forced), light and shadow contrasts, and the sharpness of angles.
In Rembrandt's work of this time, a special place belongs to mythological scenes. The artist did not follow them classical traditions and the canons, challenging them boldly. One of the works that can be noted here is The Rape of Ganymede (1635).
"Danae"
The monumental composition entitled “Danae” fully embodied aesthetic views Rembrandt. In this work, he seems to enter into an argument with the great artists of the Renaissance. The nude figure of Danae depicted by Rembrandt does not correspond to classical ideals. The artist completed this work with realistic spontaneity, very bold for that time. He contrasted the ideal, sensual-physical beauty of the images created by Italian masters with spiritual beauty, as well as the warmth of human feeling.
Other works
Also in the 1630s, Rembrandt devoted a lot of time to working in the techniques of engraving and etching. One can note his works such as “The Wandering Couple” and “The Rat Poison Seller.” The artist also created pencil drawings, generalized in manner and very bold.
Rembrandt's work in the 1640s
These years were marked by conflict between innovative works Rembrandt and the very limited demands of his contemporaries. This conflict clearly manifested itself in 1642. Then Rembrandt's work Night watch"caused violent protests from customers. They did not accept main idea artist. Rembrandt, instead of the usual group portrait, depicted a heroically upbeat composition in which, at the alarm, the guild of shooters steps forward. That is, it was, one might say, She awakened the memories of contemporaries about the liberation war waged by the Dutch people.
After this work, the influx of orders for Rembrandt decreased. His life was also darkened by the death of Saskia. In the 1640s, the artist’s work lost its external effectiveness. The major notes that were characteristic of it earlier also disappeared. Rembrandt begins to paint calm genre and biblical scenes, full of intimacy and warmth. In them he reveals the subtlest shades of experiences, feelings of family, spiritual closeness. Among these works it should be noted " Holy family" 1645, as well as the painting "David and Jonathan" (1642).
Both in graphics and in Rembrandt’s paintings, everything higher value acquires a very subtle play of chiaroscuro. It creates a special atmosphere - emotionally intense, dramatic. Of note are Rembrandt's monumental graphic sheet "Christ Healing the Sick" as well as the "Hundred Guilder Sheet", created around 1642-46. You should also call the landscape of 1643 “Three Trees”, full of light and air dynamics.
1650 in the works of Rembrandt
This time was marked by difficult life trials that befell the artist. It was in 1650 that his period began creative maturity. Rembrandt begins to turn more and more often to portraiture. He portrays the people closest to him. Among these works, it is worth noting numerous portraits of Hendrikje Stoffels, the artist’s second wife. Also quite remarkable is the “Portrait of an Old Woman” created in 1654. In 1657, the artist painted another one of his famous work- "Son Titus reading."
Images of ordinary people and old people
Images ordinary people, especially the elderly, are increasingly attracted to the artist. In his works they are the embodiment of spiritual wealth and life wisdom. In 1654, Rembrandt created "Portrait of the Artist's Brother's Wife", and in 1652-1654 - "Portrait of an Old Man in Red" (pictured above). The painter begins to become interested in the hands and face, which are illuminated by soft light. It’s as if they were snatched from the darkness. The faces of the figures are characterized by barely noticeable facial expressions. This shows the complex movement of their feelings and thoughts. Rembrandt alternates light and impasto strokes, which makes the surface of the painting shimmer with light and shadow and colorful shades.
Difficult financial situation
In 1656, the artist was declared an insolvent debtor, as a result of which all his property was sold under the hammer. Rembrandt was forced to move to the Jewish quarter of Amsterdam. Here he spent the rest of his life in extremely cramped conditions.
Works of Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn 1660
Biblical compositions created in the 1660s sum up Rembrandt's reflections on the meaning of life. In his work of this time there are paintings dedicated to the clash of light and dark principles in the human soul. A whole series works on this topic were created by Rembrandt Harmens van Rijn, whose biography and list of paintings interest us. Among such works, it is worth noting the work "Assur, Haman and Esther", created in 1660; and also "David and Uriah", or "The Fall of Haman" (1665). They are characterized by a flexible brushwork style, warm rich colors, complex surface texture, and intense play of light and shadow. All this is necessary for the artist to reveal complex emotional experiences and conflicts, to affirm the victory of good over evil.
Rembrandt's historical painting entitled The Conspiracy of Julius Civilis, also known as The Conspiracy of the Batavians, was created in 1661. It is imbued with heroism and harsh drama.
"Return of the Prodigal Son"
IN last year in his life, the artist created the work "Return prodigal son". It dates back to 1668-69. This monumental canvas is Rembrandt’s main masterpiece. It embodies all the moral, aesthetic and artistic issues, characteristic of late period his creativity. Artist with the highest skill recreates in this picture a whole range of deep and complex human feelings. Artistic media he subordinates to the revelation of the beauty of forgiveness, compassion, understanding. The culmination of the transition from tension of feelings to the successful resolution of passions is embodied in spare gestures and expressive poses. You can see this in the photo above last piece Rembrandt.
Rembrandt's death, the significance of his work
The famous Dutch painter, etcher and draftsman died in Amsterdam on October 4, 1669. Harmens van Rijn Rembrandt, whose works are known and loved by many, had a huge influence on further development painting. This is noticeable not only in the work of his students, of whom Carel Fabritius came closest to understanding Rembrandt, but also in the works of each Dutch artist, more or less significant. The paintings of many masters reflect the influence of artists such as Rembrandt van Rijn. The work "The Swamp", authored by Jacob van Ruisdael, is probably one of these works. It shows a desert part of the forest area flooded with water. This picture carries a symbolic meaning.
Later he provided strong impact and the great Rembrandt on the development of realistic art in general. His paintings and biography continue to interest many people to this day. This suggests that his work is indeed quite valuable. Rembrandt's masterpieces, many of which were described in this article, still inspire artists.
Rembrandt Harmens van Rijn born in the Dutch city of Leiden in 1606 on July 15. Rembrandt's father was a wealthy miller, his mother was a good baker and was the daughter of a baker. The surname “van Rijn” literally means “from the Rhine,” that is, from the Rhine River, where Rembrandt’s great-grandfathers had mills. Of the 10 children in the family, Rembrandt was the youngest. Other children followed in the footsteps of their parents, but Rembrandt chose a different path - an artistic one, and was educated at a Latin school.
At the age of 13, Rembrandt began to learn to paint and also entered the city university. Age did not bother anyone then; the main thing at that time was knowledge at the level. Many scholars suggest that Rembrandt entered the university not to study, but to get a deferment from the army.
Rembrandt's first teacher was Jacob van Swanenburch. In his workshop future artist spent about three years, then moved to Amsterdam to study with Pieter Lastman. From 1625 to 1626 Rembrandt returned to his hometown and made acquaintances with artists and some of Lastman's students.
Nevertheless, after much thought, Rembrandt decided that his career as an artist should be pursued in the capital of Holland, and again moved to Amsterdam.
In 1634, Rembrandt married Saskia. By the time of their marriage, each had a good fortune (Rembrandt through painting, and Saskia’s parents left an impressive inheritance). So it was not a marriage of convenience. They truly loved each other warmly and passionately.
In 1635 – 1640s. Rembrandt's wife gave birth to three children, but they all died as newborns. In 1641, Saskia gave birth to a son, who was named Titus. The child survived, but, unfortunately, the mother herself died at the age of 29.
After the death of his wife, Rembrandt he was not himself, he did not know what to do, and found solace in drawing. It was in the year when his wife died that he completed the painting “Night Watch”. The young father could not cope with Titus and therefore hired a nanny for the child - Gertje Dirks, who became his mistress. About 2 years passed, and the nanny in the house changed. She became a young girl Hendrikje Stoffels. What happened to Geertje Dirks? She sued Rembrandt, believing that he had violated marriage contract, but she lost the argument and was sent to a correctional home, where she spent 5 whole years. Having been released, she died a year later.
Rembrandt's new nanny, Hendrikje Stoffels, gave birth to two children. Their first child, a boy, died in infancy, and their daughter Carnelia, the only one who survived her father.
Few people know that Rembrandt had a very distinctive collection, which included paintings Italian artists, different drawings, engravings, various busts and even weapons.
Decline of Rembrandt's life
Things weren't going well for Rembrandt. There was not enough money, the number of orders decreased. Therefore, the artist sold part of his collection, but this did not save him. He was on the verge of going to prison, but the court was in his favor, so he was allowed to sell all his property and pay off his debts. He even lived for some time in a house that no longer belonged to him.
Meanwhile, Titus and his mother organized a company that traded art objects in order to somehow help Rembrandt. In truth, until the end of his life the artist never paid off many, but this did not spoil Rembrandt’s reputation; he remained a worthy person in the eyes of people.
Rembrandt's death was very sad. In 1663, the artist’s beloved, Hendrickje, died. Some time later, Rembrandt buried his son Titus and his bride. In 1669, on October 4, he himself left this world, but forever left a mark in the hearts of people who loved him.
Rembrandt Harmens Van Rijn- one of the most famous artists peace. Born July 15, 1606 in Leiden (Netherlands, South Holland). He apprenticed for several years with a Leiden painter, and then studied the intricacies of painting with Pieter Lastman in Amsterdam, who in turn studied in Italy. It was Lastman who first introduced Rembrandt to the art of chiaroscuro, the effects of conveying volume, depth, and the drama of the plot.
Rembrandt is a true and unsurpassed master of biblical and mythological themes, portraiture and rendering. After he moved to Amsterdam in 1631 (1632), he soon gained real glory talented artist. The painting “The Anatomy Lesson of Doctor Tulpe” brought him fame and recognition among artists and art connoisseurs. At that time he was a fashionable and successful painter who had many orders. His business took off sharply, and he became a fairly wealthy man.
However, despite his well-being as an artist, in personal life Rembrandt suffered many misfortunes. Three of his children died in infancy. The fourth son, Titus, survived, but his wife Saskia died a year after his birth. In these difficult and turning-point years for any person, Rembrandt painted the painting “The Night Watch,” which brought him real fame and is still one of the most bright paintings of his entire work. The Night's Watch is a group portrait of members of the archery guild. Then he abandoned the classical way of arranging faces in a group portrait, and created a picture in which there is dynamics and movement. In addition, the unusual contrast, the way of applying light and shadow, gave a special exciting flavor to the work. The customers, admittedly, did not understand Rembrandt’s idea, since they wanted to get something similar to the works of other classical artists of that time, those who were recognized as the standard in painting.
Over the years, realistic art Rembrandt Van Rijn everything is improving and developing. He goes deeper into his creativity, becoming more and more different from his contemporaries. Depth and emotionality reach the peak of tension. Artistic images on his canvases they seem to live their own life, and are not at all a copy of the original or simple image person. It was the novelty of artistic research that allowed him to become one of the most notable artists of all times. He never tired of surprising people throughout his life. Even when Rembrandt went out of fashion and continued to paint ordinary portraits to order, unexpectedly for everyone he painted the grandiose painting “The Return of the Prodigal Son.” And yet, despite his skill and merit, the world and society were cruel even in those times. Rembrandt van Rijn died on October 4, 1669 in poverty and misery. His grave was lost, but a great legacy remained in his memory for many centuries.
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Allegory of Music
Andromeda
Aristotle with a bust of Homer
Flight to Egypt
Jacob's Blessing
The boat of Christ during the storm
Man in a golden helmet
David and Jonathan
Evangelist Matthew and the angel
Jewish bride
Frederick Riehl on horseback
Sacrifice
Stone bridge
Mill
Still life with a peacock
Night watch
Joseph's accusation
Blinding of Samson
Denial of the Apostle Peter
Belshazzar's Feast
The Abduction of Ganymede
Portrait of Jeremiah Decker
Portrait of Maria Trip
Portrait of an old warrior
Portrait of an old woman
Portrait of Jan Six
Portrait of Jan Utenbogaert
Name: Rembrandt (Rembrandt Harmens van Rijn)
Age: 63 years old
Activity: artist, engraver, leading representative of the Golden Age Dutch painting
Marital status: widower
Rembrandt: biography
Rembrandt Harmens van Rijn – famous painter, etcher and draughtsman of the "Golden Age". Universal recognition and glory, a sharp decline and poverty - this is how one can characterize the biography of the great genius of art. Rembrandt sought to convey the soul of a person through portraits; rumors and guesses are still circulating about many of the artist’s works, shrouded in mystery.
The beginning of the 17th century was calm for the Dutch state, which gained the independence of the republic at the time of the revolution. The country developed industrial production, agriculture and trade.
In the ancient city of Leidin, located in the province of South Holland, in a house on Vedesteg, Rembrandt, born on July 15, 1607, spent his childhood.
The boy grew up in large family, in which he was the sixth child. The father of the future artist, Harmen van Rijn, was a wealthy man who owned a mill and malthouse. Among other things, Rhein's property included two more houses, and he also received a significant dowry from his wife Cornelia Neltje, so big family lived in abundance. The future artist’s mother was the daughter of a baker and knew cooking, so the family table was replete with delicious dishes.
Despite their wealth, the Harmen family lived modestly, observing strict Catholic rules. The artist’s parents, even after the Dutch Revolution, did not change their attitude towards faith.
Self-portrait of Rembrandt at age 23 Rembrandt was kind to his mother throughout his life. This is expressed in a portrait painted in 1639, which depicts a wise old woman with a kind and slightly sad look.
Social events and the luxurious life of wealthy people were alien to the family. It is worth assuming that in the evenings the van Rijns gathered at the table and read books and the Bible: this is what most Dutch citizens did during the “Golden Age”.
The windmill that Harmen owned was located on the banks of the Rhine: before the boy’s eyes a beautiful landscape an azure river, illuminated by the rays of the sun making their way through the small window of the building and passing through the mists of flour dust. Perhaps, due to childhood memories, the future artist learned to skillfully master paint, light and shadow.
As a child, Rembrandt grew up to be an observant boy. The open spaces of the streets of Leidin provided sources of inspiration: in the shopping markets one could meet people who were different from each other different nationalities and learn to sketch their faces on paper.
Initially, the boy went to a Latin school, but he was not interested in studies. Young Rembrandt did not like exact sciences, preferring drawing.
The future artist's childhood was happy, as his parents saw his son's hobbies, and when the boy turned 13, he was sent to study at Dutch artist Jacob van Swanenburg. Little is known from the biography of Rembrandt’s first teacher; the representative of late mannerism has not preserved a huge artistic heritage, which makes it almost impossible to trace Jacob’s influence on the development of Rembrandt’s style.
In 1623, the young man went to the capital, where his second teacher was the painter Peter Lastman, who taught Rembrandt for six months in painting and engraving.
Painting
His training with his mentor was successful; impressed by Lastman’s paintings, the young man quickly mastered the drawing technique. Bright and rich colors, play of shadows and light, as well as meticulous elaboration of even the most small parts flora - that's what Peter passed on to the eminent student.
In 1627, Rembrandt returned from Amsterdam to his hometown. Confident in his abilities, the artist, together with his friend Jan Lievens, opens his own school of painting, which short terms gained popularity among the Dutch. Lievens and Rembrandt kept pace with each other, sometimes young people carefully worked on one canvas, putting part of their own style into the drawing.
The twenty-year-old young artist managed to gain fame due to his detailed early works, which include:
- “Stoning of St. Stephen the Apostle” (1625),
- "Palamedea before Agamemnon" (1626),
- "David with the Head of Goliath" (1627),
- "The Rape of Europa" (1632),
The young man continues to draw inspiration from the streets of the city, walking through squares in order to meet a random passer-by and capture his portrait with a chisel on a wooden plank. Rembrandt also made a series of engravings with self-portraits and portraits of numerous relatives.
Thanks to the talent of the young painter, Rembrandt was noticed by the poet Constantin Heygens, who admired the paintings of van Rijn and Lievens, calling them promising artists. “Judas Returns Thirty Pieces of Silver,” written by a Dutchman in 1629, he compares with famous paintings Italian masters, but finds flaws in the drawing. Thanks to Constantine's connections, Rembrandt soon acquired rich art admirers: due to the mediation of Hagens, the Prince of Orange ordered several from the artist religious works, such as Before Pilate (1636).
Real success for an artist comes in Amsterdam. On June 8, 1633, Rembrandt met the daughter of a wealthy burgher, Saskia van Uylenburch, and gained a strong position in society. The artist painted most of his paintings while in the capital of the Netherlands.
Rembrandt is inspired by the beauty of his beloved, so he often paints her portraits. Three days after the wedding, van Rijn depicted a woman in a silver pencil wearing a wide-brimmed hat. Saskia appeared in the Dutchman’s paintings in a cozy home environment. The image of this plump-cheeked woman appears on many canvases, for example, the mysterious girl in the painting “Night Watch” strongly resembles the artist’s beloved.
In 1632, Rembrandt was glorified by the painting “The Anatomy Lesson of Doctor Tulp.” The fact is that van Rijn moved away from the canons of standard group portraits, which were depicted with faces turned towards the viewer. Extremely realistic portraits The doctors and his students made the artist famous.
Written in 1635 famous painting By biblical story“The Sacrifice of Abraham,” which was appreciated in secular society.
In 1642, van Rijn received an order from the Shooting Society for a group portrait to decorate the new building with canvas. The painting was mistakenly called “Night Watch”. It was stained with soot, and only in the 17th century did researchers come to the conclusion that the action unfolding on the canvas took place during the daytime.
Rembrandt meticulously depicted every detail of the musketeers in motion: as if at a certain moment time stood still when the militia came out of the dark courtyard so that van Rijn captured them on the canvas.
Customers did not like that the Dutch painter deviated from the canons that developed in the 17th century. Then group portraits were ceremonial, and the participants were depicted full-face without any static.
According to scientists, this painting was the reason for the artist’s bankruptcy in 1653, as it scared away potential clients.
Technique and paintings
Rembrandt believed that the true goal of the artist was to study nature, so all the painter’s paintings turned out to be too photographic: the Dutchman tried to convey every emotion of the person depicted.
Like many talented masters of the Golden Age, Rembrandt has religious motives. Van Rijn’s canvases depict not just captured faces, but entire scenes with their own history.
Detail from Rembrandt’s painting “The Holy Family”, 1645 In the painting “The Holy Family,” which was painted in 1645, the faces of the characters are natural; the Dutchman seems to want to use his brush and paint to transport viewers into the cozy atmosphere of a simple peasant family. One cannot trace any pompousness in van Rijn's works. said that Rembrandt painted the Madonna in the form of a Dutch peasant woman. Indeed, throughout his life, the artist drew inspiration from the people around him; it is possible that on the canvas a woman, copied from a maid, is cradling a baby.
Rembrandt's painting "The Holy Family", 1646 Like many artists, Rembrandt is full of mysteries: after the death of the creator, researchers pondered for a long time about the secrets of his paintings.
For example, van Rijn worked on the painting “Danae” (or “Aegina”) for 11 years, starting in 1636. The canvas depicts a young maiden after waking up from sleep. The plot is based on ancient Greek myth about Danae, daughter of the king of Argos and mother of Perseus.
Researchers of the canvas did not understand why the naked maiden did not look like Saskia. However, after an x-ray, it became clear that Danae was originally drawn as Eulenburch, but after the death of his wife, van Rijn returned to the painting and changed Danae’s facial features.
There were also disputes among art critics about the heroine depicted on the canvas. Rembrandt did not sign the title of the painting, and the interpretation of the plot was complicated by the absence of golden rain, according to legend, in the form of which Zeus appeared to Danae. Scientists were also confused wedding ring on ring finger girls, which did not agree with ancient Greek mythology. Rembrandt's masterpiece "Danae" is in Russian museum Hermitage.
"The Jewish Bride" (1665) - another mysterious picture van Rijn. The painting received this name at the beginning of the 19th century, but it is still unknown who is depicted on the canvas, because a young girl and a man are dressed in ancient costumes reminiscent of biblical clothing. Also popular is the painting “The Return of the Prodigal Son” (1669), which took 6 years to create.
Fragment of Rembrandt’s painting “The Return of the Prodigal Son” If we talk about Rembrandt’s style of painting, the artist used a minimum of colors, while still managing to make the paintings “alive”, thanks to the play of light and shadows.
Van Rijn also successfully manages to depict facial expressions: all the people in the paintings of the great painter seem to be alive. For example, in the portrait of an old man - Rembrandt's father (1639) every wrinkle is visible, as well as a wise and sad look.
Personal life
In 1642, Saskia died of tuberculosis; the lovers had a son, Titus (three other children died in infancy), with whom Rembrandt maintained friendly relations. At the end of 1642, the artist met with the young lady Gertje Dirks. Saskia's parents were upset by the way the widower disposed of the dowry while living in luxury. Later, Dirks sues her lover for breaking his promise to marry her. From the second woman the artist had a daughter, Cornelia.
Rembrandt's painting "Saskia as the Goddess Flora" In 1656, Rembrandt, due to financial difficulties, declared himself bankrupt and left for a secluded house on the outskirts of the capital.
Van Rijn’s life did not progress, but, on the contrary, went into decline: a happy childhood, wealth and recognition were replaced by departed customers and a beggarly old age. The artist's mood can be seen in his canvases. So, living with Saskia, he writes joyful and solar paintings, for example, “Self-portrait with Saskia on her knees” (1635). On the canvas, van Rijn laughs with a sincere laugh, and a radiant light illuminates the room.
If before the painting the artist were detailed, then at the stage late creativity Rembrandt uses broad strokes, and the sun's rays are replaced by darkness.
The painting “The Conspiracy of Julius Civilis,” painted in 1661, was not paid for by customers because the faces of the participants in the conspiracy were not carefully worked out, unlike van Rijn’s previous works.
Rembrandt's painting "Portrait of the Son of Titus" Shortly before his death, living in poverty, in 1665, Rembrandt painted a self-portrait in the image of Zeuxis. Zeukis is an ancient Greek painter who died an ironic death: the artist was amused by the portrait he painted of Aphrodite in the form of an old woman, and he died of laughter. In the portrait, Rembrandt laughs; the artist did not hesitate to put a dose of black humor into the canvas.
Death
Rembrandt interred his son Titus, who died of the plague, in 1668. This sad event sharply worsened state of mind artist. Van Rijn died on October 4, 1669 and was buried in the Dutch Westerkerk church in Amsterdam.
Monument to Rembrandt at Rembrandt Square in Amsterdam During his lifetime, the artist painted about 350 canvases and 100 drawings. It took humanity two centuries to fully appreciate this great artist.
Rembrant Harmens van Rijn (1606-1669), Dutch painter.
Having entered the University of Leiden in 1620, Rembrandt soon left it and began to study painting. In 1625-1631 he worked in hometown. The main ones in his work early period there were paintings on religious subjects, as well as portraits.
The year 1632 turned out to be a happy year for Rembrandt. He moved to Amsterdam and married a wealthy city dweller, Saskia van Uylenburg, and the painting “The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp” brought to the young painter universal recognition.
The most prosperous decade of his life began for the master. He had many students (Rembrandt's school). During this period, he wrote such masterpieces as “Self-Portrait with Saskia” (1635) and “Danae” (1636).
The extremely cheerful art of Rembrandt from the 1930s. combines the experience of Renaissance and Baroque masters and an innovative approach to classical subjects.
The period of success suddenly ended in 1642: the magnificent work “Night Watch” - a group portrait of members of the Shooting Guild of Amsterdam - was rejected by customers who did not appreciate the artist’s innovations and subjected him to sharp criticism.
Rembrandt practically stopped receiving orders; almost all his students left him. Saskia died that same year.
Since the 40s Rembrandt abandoned theatrical effects in his work; the mystical, contemplative principle intensified in his painting. The artist often turned to the image of his second wife, Hendrikje Stoffels.
The painting “The Holy Family” (1645), a series of self-portraits, best landscapes. But failures continued to haunt Rembrandt: in 1656 he was declared an insolvent debtor, his property was sold at auction, and the family moved to a modest house in the Jewish quarter of Amsterdam.
The painting “The Conspiracy of Julius Civilis” (1661), commissioned by the town hall, shared the fate of the “Night Watch”. In 1663, the artist buried his wife and son.
Despite his deteriorating vision, Rembrandt continued to paint. A unique result of his work was the canvas “The Return of the Prodigal Son” (1668-1669).
