Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn

1606-1669

     Since his whole name is something of a mouthful, we usually just call him "Rembrandt".  Without dispute, he is one of the greatest of the greats when it comes to painting.  Although he was certainly influenced by other artists, such as Caravaggio and Michelangelo, his own influence as an artist is unsurpassed.  He painted contemporary portraits, landscapes, genre,  and Biblical scenes.  He painted in oils, and made countless etchings.  We know him better than we know most of the great masters, not because he wrote so much about himself.  He did not do that.  What he left us is the story of his life in paintings and etchings.