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 Generally
recognized as the greatest exponent of portraits of all time,
the name Rembrandt is almost synonymous with the word Art.
His mastery in capturing emotion and depth of feeling in his
compositions makes him one of the most appreciated and easily
understood of all great artists.
He
was born in Leiden, Holland, where he matriculated at the Latin School, but shortly
thereafter began his apprenticeship as a painter. Three years later his father
sent him to Amsterdam to study under Pieter Lastman, one of Holland's foremost
painters of that time. Lastman had been to Italy and was heavily influenced by
Caravaggio and his brilliant innovative use of the chiaroscuro effect of light
and shadow. This knowledge he passed onto Rembrandt, who within a few short months
began to use it with a skill no artist has since surpassed. After about six months
Rembrandt left Lastman and returned to Leiden, setting up his own studio. He soon
established an excellent reputation, especially as an engraver and his works were
commissioned from all over Europe and England.
His business thrived
in the 30's and 40's and he could afford to be wildly  extravagant
at the auctions he loved to attend, but in 1658 he declared
himself insolvent, was forced to sell his house, and many
of his paintings were sold under auction, for paltry sums.
Popular belief has it Rembrandt died in abject poverty, destitute
and forgotten, but there is no hard evidence to support this
conjecture and the truth is probably a little less dramatic.
Though he suffered some disgrace through his backruptcy and
a decline in fashionable demand and taste, he still received
commissions from loyal and discerning lovers of art, even
selling 189 etchings to a Scottish nobleman in the year he
died. The finest and largest collection of his works today
is found in The Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg - assembled
by the Empress Catherine in the 18th century.
As many as 2,300 of
his works survive today ( a collection of some 600 paintings,
1,400 drawings, and 300 etchings) - including 90 self-portraits.
No artist has left a more penetrating personal testament.
Like an actor before a mirror, he used himself to master his
technique and skill in portraying human emotion and expression.
His reputation rests largely on his portrait painting, his
main  interest
and source of income in the early years. He did paint a few
landscapes, also wonderful paintings that conveyed strong
mood and atmosphere, with his characteristic play on light
and shadow, but he ceased to paint landscapes in his latter
years, concentrating solely on portraiture and biblical scenes.
A
staunch Protestant from a religious home background, his devout faith is reflected
in his many paintings of the ancient biblical stories. The two subjects are inter-related
and reflect his life-long study of the individual face and the emotions of life
itself. For Rembrandt, the Bible stories became timeless examples of Man's troubled
existence. Little is known about Rembrandt
beyond basic legal recordings of births, deaths and marriages, some business correspondence
concerning painting commissions, and a bankruptcy report. No personal intimate
letters survive, either to him, or from him. From the bankruptcy report we learn
that Rembrandt had an enviable collection of art himself, including works by Leonardo,
Michelangelo, Raphael, Holbein, Titian and Rubens, amongst others. From a couple
of scant biographies soon after his death it's apparent he had a fondness for
auctions, buying ornate and exotic garments, ornaments and sundry odds and ends
which he delighted to use as props in his paintings.
 Rembrandt
knew the pain of tragic loss and out-lived the 3 probably
biggest loves of his life: his wife Saskia - who died after
9 years of marriage and 9 months after the birth of their
only surviving child (3 others had died in childbirth); his
mistress of 14 years - Hendrickje Stoffells, who predeceased
him by six years; and his son Titus - who died at the age
of 27, only a few months before Rembrandt's own death in October
1669.
Lyons Corner House now
offers you the opportunity to own for yourself a superb reproduction
of your favourite painting by Rembrandt. Just tell us
which is your favourite work and the size you would like and
we will give you a no-obligation quote for a top quality reproduction
which you can give pride of place in your own home.
Imagine the surprise of visitors to your home when they see
a magnificent painting of one of Rembrandt’s works on display
in your living room! 
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form and e-mail your request for a quote and we’ll
get back to you straightaway.
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