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His Life
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was born in Leiden on July 15, 1606, and was the son of a miller. Despite the fact that he came from a family of relatively modest means, his parents took great care with his education. Rembrandt began his studies at the Latin School and at the age of 14 he was enrolled at the Leiden University. The program there did not interest him and he soon left to study art. He first studied with a local master, Jacob van Swanenburch, and then in Amsterdam with Pieter Lastman, known for his historical paintings. After six months, having mastered everything he had been taught, Rembrandt returned to Leiden. He, at 22 years of age was soon so highly regarded at that he took on his first pupils, one of them being Gerrit Dou.
In 1631 Rembrandt moved to Amsterdam. Rembrandt married Saskia van Uylenburgh in 1634; the cousin of a successful art dealer, who enhanced his career, bringing him in contact with wealthy patrons who eagerly commissioned portraits. An exceptionally fine example from this period is the Portrait of Nicolaes Ruts(1631, Frick Collection, New York City). more...
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