Short biography of Rembrandt and his work. The most famous works of Rembrandt

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

A short biography of Rembrandt and his work presented in the article will introduce you to one of the greatest artists of all time. Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (life years - 1606-1669) - a famous Dutch painter, etcher and draftsman. His work is permeated with the desire to comprehend the essence of life, as well as the inner world of man. Rembrandt was interested in the richness of spiritual experiences inherent in people. The work of this artist is the pinnacle of Dutch art of the 17th century. It is also considered one of the most important pages of the artistic culture of the whole world. Even people who are far from painting know his works. Rembrandt is an amazing artist whose life and work will surely interest you.

Rembrandt's artistic legacy

The artistic heritage that he left us is exceptionally diverse. Rembrandt painted portraits, landscapes, still lifes, genre scenes. He created paintings on mythological,biblical, historical themes, as well as other works. Rembrandt is an unsurpassed master of etching and drawing.

Life in Leiden

Rembrandt's life in 1620 is marked by a brief study at the University of Leiden. Then he decided to devote his life entirely to art. To this end, he studied first in Leiden with J. van Swanenbürch (about 1620-23), and then in Amsterdam with P. Lastman (in 1623). In the period from 1625 to 1631 the artist worked in Leiden. Rembrandt created his first works here.

It should be noted that his works dating back to the Leiden period are characterized by the search for the author's creative independence, despite the fact that they show the influence of Lastman, as well as representatives of Dutch caravagism. An example is the work "Bringing to the Temple", created around 1628-29. In "The Apostle Paul" (circa 1629-30), as well as in "Simeon in the Temple" (1631), the artist first resorted to chiaroscuro as a means designed to enhance the emotional expressiveness and spirituality of the images. At the same time, Rembrandt worked hard on the portrait. He studied facial expressions.

1630 years in the life of Rembrandt

An important event in the life of the master happened in 1632. Moving to Amsterdam marked the biography of the artist Rembrandt. His biography related to this time is as follows.

In Amsterdam, the artist we are interested in soon got married. Became his chosen oneSaskia van Uylenburgh, a we althy patrician (her portrait is presented above). This woman was an orphan. Her father was a member of the council of Friesland, a burgomaster from Leewerden. Saskia's two brothers were lawyers. Among the relatives of this woman are many government officials and scientists. She brought a ray of happiness into the lonely dwelling of the artist. Rembrandt furnished his house with many rare items, as a result of which he became a real museum. The master spent a lot of time in junk shops, sales and auctions. He bought prints and paintings, Indian and Chinese carved trinkets, old weapons, statues, valuable crystal and porcelain. All these things served as a background for the paintings that he created. They inspired the artist. Rembrandt liked to dress his wife in velvet, brocade and silk. He showered her with pearls and diamonds. His life was easy and joyful, full of creativity, work and love. In general, the 1630s are a time of family happiness and great artistic success.

Portraits from the 1630s

All portraits dating back to the 1630s demonstrate Rembrandt's subtlety and powers of observation. This brings him closer to Keyser, van der Helst, Rubens and Van Dyck. These paintings are usually made on a light gray even background. Often oval format are his works. Rembrandt created portraits that amaze with enormous plastic power. It is achieved by simplification of chiaroscuro and black and white harmony, as well as the direct gaze of the model. All works are full of dignity, attract attention with composition and dynamic ease. In the paintings of the Amsterdam period, according tocompared with Leiden, a smoother texture. The rhythm of the hands has a symbolic meaning (the artist intentionally does not show one hand). This, as well as the turn of the figure's head, recalls the volatility and transience of the Baroque.

Characterization of some portraits from the 1630s

Describing the life and work of Rembrandt of this period, one cannot help but refer to the portraits he created. They are quite numerous. Rembrandt's The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp (pictured above) was created in 1632. In it, the author innovatively approached solving the problem of a group portrait, as a result of which the composition turned out to be relaxed. Rembrandt united all the people represented in the picture with a single action. This work brought him great fame.

In other portraits, created by numerous orders, the artist carefully conveyed clothes, facial features, jewelry. One example is the work "Portrait of a Burgrave", which was painted in 1636 by Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn. The life and work of any artist are closely related. For example, portraits of people close to Rembrandt, as well as his self-portraits (one of them, created in 1634, is presented above), are more diverse and free in composition. In them, the artist was not afraid to experiment, striving for psychological expressiveness. Here it is also necessary to name a self-portrait, created in 1634, and "Smiling Saskia", written in 1633.

The famous painting "Merry society", or "Self-portrait with Saskia" (the photo of this work is presented above), completed the search for this period. It was painted around 1635 by Rembrandt van Rijn. The life and work of the artist are revealed in a special way in this work. In it, he boldly breaks with the canons that existed at that time. The picture is distinguished by the free manner of painting, the lively immediacy of the composition, as well as the light-filled, major, colorful scale.

Biblical compositions and mythological scenes 1630

In the 1630s, the artist also created biblical compositions. One of the most famous is the "Sacrifice of Abraham". It belongs to 1635. Biblical compositions of this time are marked by the influence of Italian Baroque painting. Its impact is manifested in the dynamics of the composition (somewhat forced), light and shade contrasts, sharpness of angles.

In the works of Rembrandt of this time, a special place belongs to the mythological scenes. In them, the artist did not follow the classical traditions and canons, throwing them a bold challenge. One of the works that can be noted here is The Rape of Ganymede (1635).

Danae

The monumental composition called "Danae" fully embodied the aesthetic views of Rembrandt. In this work, he seems to enter into an argument with the great artists of the Renaissance. The nude figure of Danae depicted by Rembrandt does not correspond to classical ideals. Artist completedthis work with a realistic spontaneity, very bold for that time. He contrasted the ideal, sensual-bodily beauty of the images created by Italian masters with spiritual beauty, as well as the warmth of human feeling.

Other works

Also in the 1630s, Rembrandt devoted a lot of time to work in the technique of engraving and etching. One can note such works of his as "The Traveling Couple" and "The Seller of Rat Poison". The artist also created pencil drawings that were generalized in style and quite bold.

Rembrandt's 1640s

These years were marked by a conflict between the innovative works of Rembrandt and the very limited demands of his contemporaries. This conflict was clearly manifested in 1642. Then the work of Rembrandt's "Night Watch" caused violent protests from customers. They did not accept the main idea of the artist. Rembrandt, instead of the usual group portrait, depicted a heroically elevated composition in which, on an alarm signal, the guild of shooters steps forward. That is, it was, one might say, a historical picture. She awakened the memories of contemporaries about the war of liberation waged by the Dutch people.

After this work, the influx of orders from Rembrandt declined. His life was also overshadowed by the death of Saskia. In 1640, the artist's work lost its outward showiness. The major notes that were characteristic of him earlier also disappeared. Rembrandt begins to write calm genre and biblical scenes, full of intimacy and warmth. In them, he reveals the subtlest shades of experiences,feelings of kinship, intimacy. Among these works, the "Holy Family" of 1645, as well as the painting "David and Jonathan" (1642) should be noted.

Both in graphics and in Rembrandt's painting, a very subtle play of chiaroscuro is becoming increasingly important. It creates a special atmosphere - emotionally intense, dramatic. Of note is Rembrandt's monumental graphic sheet "Christ Healing the Sick", as well as the "Leaf of a Hundred Guilders", created around 1642-46. You also need to name the landscape of 1643 "Three Trees", full of light and air dynamics.

1650 years in the works of Rembrandt

This time was marked by severe life trials that befell the artist. It was in 1650 that the period of his creative maturity began. Rembrandt is increasingly turning to the portrait. He portrays the people closest to him. Among these works, it is worth noting the numerous portraits of Hendrickje Stoffels, the second wife of the artist. Also quite remarkable was the "Portrait of an Old Woman" created in 1654. In 1657, the artist painted another of his famous works - "Son Titus Reading".

Images of ordinary people and old people

Images of ordinary people, especially old people, are increasingly attracting the artist. They are the embodiment of spiritual we alth and vital wisdom in his works. In 1654, Rembrandt created "Portrait of the Artist's Brother's Wife", and in 1652-1654 - "Portrait of an Old Man in Red" (onphoto above). The painter begins to be interested in the hands and face, which are illuminated by soft light. They seem to be pulled out of the darkness. The faces of the figures are characterized by barely noticeable facial expressions. This shows the complex movement of their feelings and thoughts. Rembrandt alternates light and impasto strokes, which makes the surface of the painting iridescent with chiaroscuro and colorful hues.

Difficult financial situation

In 1656, the artist was declared insolvent, as a result of which all his property went under the hammer. Rembrandt was forced to move to the Jewish quarter of the city of Amsterdam. Here he spent the rest of his life in extremely cramped conditions.

Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn from the 1660s

Bible compositions created in the 1660s sum up Rembrandt's reflections on the meaning of life. In his work of this time there are paintings dedicated to the clash of light and dark principles in the human soul. A number of works on this topic were created by Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn, whose biography and list of paintings are of interest to us. Among such works, it is necessary to note the work "Assur, Haman and Esther", created in 1660; and also David and Uriah, or The Fall of Haman (1665). They are characterized by a flexible manner of writing, warm saturated range, complex surface texture, intense play of light and shadow. All this is necessary for the artist to reveal complex emotional experiences and conflicts, to affirm the victory of good over evil.

Historical painting by Rembrandt called "The Conspiracy of Julius Civilis", famousalso known as the "Conspiracy of the Batavians", was created in 1661. It is imbued with heroism and harsh drama.

Return of the Prodigal Son

In the last year of his life, the artist created the work "The Return of the Prodigal Son". It dates from 1668-69. This monumental painting is Rembrandt's main masterpiece. It embodies all the moral, aesthetic and artistic problems characteristic of the late period of his work. The artist with the highest skill recreates in this picture a whole range of deep and complex human feelings. He subordinates artistic means to the disclosure of the beauty of forgiveness, compassion, understanding. In sparing gestures and expressive poses, the culmination of the transition from the tension of feelings to the successful resolution of passions is embodied. In the photo above, you can see this last piece by Rembrandt.

The death of Rembrandt, the meaning of his work

The famous Dutch painter, etcher and draftsman died in Amsterdam on October 4, 1669. Harmensz van Rijn Rembrandt, whose works are known and loved by many, had a huge impact on the further development of painting. This is noticeable not only in the work of his students, of whom Karel Fabricius came closest to understanding Rembrandt, but also in the works of every Dutch artist, more or less significant. The paintings of many masters reflect the influence of an artist such as Rembrandt van Rijn. The work "Swamp" by Jacob vanRuisdael is probably one of these works. It shows the deserted part of the forest area flooded with water. This picture carries a symbolic meaning.

In the future, the great Rembrandt had a strong influence on the development of realistic art as a whole. His paintings and biography are of interest to many people to this day. This suggests that his work is indeed very valuable. Rembrandt's masterpieces, many of which have been described in this article, still inspire artists.