Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) never left his homeland of the
Netherlands but in his massive body of painting, drawing, and etching,
he changed the course of Western art. His prolific oeuvre encompasses
religious, historical, and secular scenes, as well as one of the most
extraordinary series of portraits and self-portraits in history.
Rembrandt's work foregrounds texture, light, and acute observation. Like
sudden, startling apparitions in a shadowy street, his subjects are
illuminated against deep, dark backgrounds and rendered with immense
physical as well as psychological scrutiny. Whether biblical or
mythological figures, powerful patrons, or fellow citizens, each subject
is bestowed not only with meticulous facial features but also with the
intrigue of thoughts and feelings so that even age-old narratives such
as the bible story of David and Bathsheba find a new level of human
drama. Rembrandt also left one of the most extensive series of
self-portraits of any artist, chronicling his own face from his youth to
the year of his death. Rembrandt's rise coincided with the blossoming of
the Dutch Golden Age, an era of prosperity in the Netherlands. He was
encouraged by wealthy patrons, but was above all driven by a profound
fascination with people. In this book, we tour some of Rembrandt's key
paintings, etchings, and drawings to introduce his techniques,
inspirations, and exceptional achievements. From the Baroque
Belshazzar's Feast to the world-famous Night Watch we uncover a world of
deep, rich tones, masterful draftsmanship, and a remarkable sensitivity
for the human condition.
