REMBRANDT VAN RIJN
Rembrandt van Rijn became one of the greatest traditional painters of 17th century European history. He dominated the Dutch Golden Age. Some of his more prominent works feature portraits, self-portraits, and biblical scenes, the latter of which epitomized his unique style, capturing his seamless fusions of earthly and spiritual elements. Born in the Netherlands, he was the 9th child of a miller and a baker’s daughter, both of whom passed on their deep Christian faith, which became prevalent in Rembrandt’s works. When Rembrandt entered the art world, he became a painter’s apprentice and quickly gained fame, recognition, and income. He became an avid art collector and dealer, but soon began to live beyond his means and faced bankruptcy. Luckily, he sold his massive antiques collection and artworks to pay off debts instead of facing jailtime.
