Rembrandt

rem'brant (1606-1669), a celebrated Dutch painter and etcher. He was born in Leyden. His full name was Rembrandt Hermanzoon van Ryn. The father was a well-to-do miller. Having launched four sons in trade, he intended Rembrandt, the fifth son, to be a scholar, and therefore sent him to the Academy of Leyden, "that when he became of age he might serve the city and the republic with his knowledge." But the boy disappointed expectation and showed no inclination toward books. He would be a painter, and finally his parents allowed him his way. The boy commenced to study art when twelve years of age. At seventeen his education was looked upon as finished, and he began to paint portraits. After a few years he went to Amsterdam where he won immediate success. He married a wealthy woman, Saskia van Ulenburgh, whose portrait he painted many times. Rembrandt established a fine home, surrounded himself with books and pictures, was very popular, and for some years prosperous and happy. In 1642 his wife died. The artist then seemed to lose heart in his work. He continued to paint, but his work was less in demand. Hard times came on and, perhaps through mismanagement, Rembrandt became involved financially and finally went into bankruptcy. His beautiful home and all his costly works of art were sold to satisfy his creditors. Rembrandt was left with nothing. The great painter sank into obscurity and died unnoticed.

Of Rembrandt's paintings, the Night Watch is considered his masterpiece. It is in the Museum of Amsterdam. It represents twenty-three personages, officers, soldiers, a standard bearer, and a drummer patrolling the street. The Syndics of the Cloth Makers hangs in the same collection. Saint Paul in Prison is at Stuttgart; The Supper at Emmaus in the Louvre. Rembrandt was noted also as an etcher. Three Trees, Burgomaster Six, The Death of the Virgin, The Goldweigher, and The Cottage with the Great Tree are noted. The tri-centenary of Rembrandt's birth was celebrated at Leyden and at Amsterdam July 16, 1906, with appropriate exercises. See Painting