Rembrandt

Born in Leyden in 1606, the son of a miller, Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn is today considered to be the greatest painter to have emerged from the Dutch school of painting which florished from about 1580 to 1700.

Rembrandt's name is synonymous with the highest achievements in art. His mastery was not confined to painting, for his genius was as brilliantly expressed in drawing and in etching. His greatness lies in his sympathy and his understanding of character and the emotions, and in the ability to express them, not only in the famous portraits, but also in the many other subjects he portrayed - scenes from ordinary life, from the bible, groups of worthy citizens.

Forty-eight of Rembrandt's paintings from collections throughout Europe are here reproduced in full colour. They are representative of the many and varied aspects of the work of this great master: self portraits, portraits of men, women and children, group commissions such as night watcher