Sunday, April 29, 2012 Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn Oil on
canvas 78.4 x 68.9 cm (30 7/8 x 27 1/8 in.) Metropolitan Museum
of Art, New York Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606 - 1669)
was a Dutch painter and etcher. He was born in Leiden as a 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 University of Leiden. He
is generally considered one of the greatest painters in European
art history and the most important in Dutch history. His
contributions to art came in a period of great wealth and
cultural achievement that historians call the Dutch Golden Age.
His paintings are characterized by luxuriant brushwork, rich
color, and a mastery of chiaroscuro. Numerous portraits and
self-portraits exhibit a profound penetration of character. His
drawings constitute a vivid record of contemporary Amsterdam
life. The greatest artist of the