A brief biography of Rembrandt and his work. The most famous works of Rembrandt

A brief biography of Rembrandt and his work, presented in the article, will introduce you to one of the greatest artists of all time. Rembrandt Harmens van Rijn (years of life - 1606-1669) - a famous Dutch painter, etertist 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 wealth of emotional experiences inherent in people. The work of this artist is the top of the Dutch art of the 17th century. It is also considered one of the most important pages of 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 are sure to interest you.

Artistic heritage of Rembrandt

Extremely diverse art heritage, which he left us. 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

The life of Rembrandt in 1620 was marked by short training at the University of Leiden. Then he decided to devote his life entirely to art. To this end, he studied first in Leiden at J. van Svanenbürh (about 1620-23), and then in Amsterdam at P. Lastman (in 1623). In the period from 1625 to 1631 the artist worked in Leiden. Here he created his first works Rembrandt.

It should be noted that his works relating to the Leiden period are characterized by the search for creative independence of the author, despite the fact that they noticeably influence Lastman, as well as representatives of Dutch caravagism. As an example, the work "Bringing to the Temple", created around 1628-29, can be cited. In the "Apostle Paul" (approximately 1629-30 year), as well as in "Simeon in the Temple" (1631), the artist first resorted to chiaroscuro as a means to strengthen 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 occurred in 1632. A move to Amsterdam marked the biography of the artist Rembrandt. His biography, relating to this time, is as follows.

In Amsterdam, the artist of interest to us soon married. His chosen one was Saskia van Eilenburgh, a rich patrician (the portrait is presented above). This woman was an orphan. Her father was a member of the Council of Friesland, the mayor of Leeverden. Two Saskia 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 a lot of rare things, as a result of which he became a real museum. Master spent a lot of time in the shops of junkies, at sales and auctions. He bought prints and paintings, Indian and Chinese carved knick-knacks, old weapons, statues, valuable crystal and porcelain. All these things served as background for the pictures he created. They inspired the artist. Rembrandt liked to dress up his wife in velvet, brocade and silk. He showered her with pearls and diamonds. His life was full of creativity, work and love. In general, 1630 years is a time of family happiness and great artistic success.

Portraits of the 1630s

All portraits, dating back to 1630, demonstrate the subtlety and observability of Rembrandt. This brings him closer to Kaiser, van der Helst, Rubens and Van Dyck. These pictures are usually made on a light gray background. Often the oval format is his works. Rembrandt created portraits that amaze with enormous plastic force. It is achieved by simplification of chiaroscuro and black and white harmony, as well as a direct look of the model. All works are full of dignity, attract attention with composition and dynamic ease. In the paintings of the Amsterdam period, compared with the 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 turning the head of the figure recalls the variability and fleetingness of the Baroque.

Characteristics of some portraits of 1630

Describing the life and work of Rembrandt of this period, one can not help turning to the portraits he created. They are quite numerous. Rembrandt's work "The lesson of Anatomy of Dr. Tulp" (pictured above) was created in 1632. In it, the author pioneered the solution of the group portrait problem, as a result of which the composition turned out to be casual. Rembrandt united all the people represented in the picture by a single action. This work brought him great fame.

In other portraits, created according to numerous orders, the artist carefully conveyed clothing, facial features, jewelry. One example is the work "Portrait of a Burgographer", written in 1636 by Rembrandt Garmens 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, are presented above) are more diverse and free in composition. In them, the artist was not afraid to experiment, striving for psychological expressiveness. Here you also need to name a self-portrait, created in 1634, and "Smiling Saskia", written in 1633.

The famous painting "Merry Society", or "Self-Portrait with Saskia" (photo of this work is presented above), completed the search for this period. It was written about 1635 by Rembrandt van Rijn. 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 the time. The painting is distinguished by a free manner of painting, by the live immediacy of the composition, and also filled with light, major, colorful scale.

Biblical compositions and mythological scenes 1630

In 1630, the artist created and biblical compositions. One of the most famous is "The Sacrifice of Abraham." It dates back to 1635. Biblical compositions of this time are marked by the influence of Italian baroque painting. Its effect is manifested in the dynamics of composition (somewhat forced), light and shadow contrasts, sharpness of angles.

In the work of Rembrandt of this time a special place belongs to 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 mentioned here is the "Abduction of Ganymede" (1635).

"Danae"

In the monumental composition entitled "Danae", the aesthetic views of Rembrandt were fully realized. In this work, he seems to enter into a dispute with the great artists of the Renaissance. The nude figure of Danai, depicted by Rembrandt, does not correspond to classical ideals. The artist did this work with realistic spontaneity, very bold for that time. He contrasted the ideal, sensual-corporal beauty of the images created by the Italian masters, spiritual beauty, as well as the warmth of human feelings.

Other jobs

Also in 1630, Rembrandt devoted much time to work in the technique of engraving and etching. You can note such his works as "The Traveling Couple" and "The seller of rat poison." The artist also created pencil drawings, generalized in a manner and very bold.

The work of Rembrandt in 1640

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

After this work, the inflow of Rembrandt's orders decreased. His life was overshadowed also by the death of Saskia. In 1640, the artist's work lost its external effektiveness. The notes of majeure, characteristic for him earlier, also disappeared. Rembrandt begins to write quiet genre and biblical scenes, full of intimacy and warmth. In them he reveals the most subtle nuances of emotions, feelings of akin, spiritual intimacy. Among these works it is necessary to note the "Holy Family" of 1645, as well as the painting "David and Jonathan" (1642).

As in the graphic, and in the painting of Rembrandt, a very delicate play of light and shade becomes increasingly important. It creates a special atmosphere - emotionally intense, dramatic. It should be noted Rembrandt's monumental graphic sheet "Christ Healing the Sick," as well as "Leaf in a hundred gulden," created around 1642-46. Also need to name the landscape of 1643 "Three trees", full of light and air dynamics.

1650 years in the work of Rembrandt

This time was marked by the grave life tests that fell to the artist's share. It was 1650 years that the period of his creative maturity begins. Rembrandt begins to turn to the portrait more often. He depicts the people closest to him. Among these works is worth noting the numerous portraits of Hendrikya Stoffels, the second wife of the artist. Also very remarkable is the "Portrait of an Old Woman" created in 1654. In 1657, the artist wrote another of his famous work - "Son Titus for Reading."

Images of ordinary people and old people

Images of ordinary people, especially old people, are increasingly attracting the artist. They are in his works the embodiment of spiritual wealth and vital wisdom. In 1654, Rembrandt created "Portrait of the Wife of the Artist's Brother", and in 1652-1654 - "Portrait of an Old Man in Red" (pictured above). The painter begins to be interested in hands and face, which are illuminated by soft light. They seem to be snatched from the darkness. The faces of the figures are characterized by subtle facial expressions. This shows the complex movement of their feelings and thoughts. Rembrandt alternates light and pasty brush strokes, which makes the surface of the picture shimmering with chiaroscuro and colorful shades.

Complex material situation

In 1656, the artist was declared an insolvent debtor, as a result of which all his property was sold 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.

The work of Rembrandt Harmens van Rijn in 1660

Biblical compositions, created in 1660, sum up Rembrandt's reflections on the meaning of life. In his work of this time there are pictures dedicated to the clash of light and dark beginnings in the soul of man. A whole series of works on this theme was created by Rembrandt Harmens van Rijn, whose biography and list of paintings we are interested in. Among such works it is necessary to note the work "Assyrian, Aman and Esther", created in 1660; As well as "David and Uriah", or "The Fall of Haman" (1665). They are characterized by a flexible manner of writing, a warm saturated gamut, a complex texture of the surface, a tense play of light and shadow. All this is necessary for the artist to reveal complex emotional experiences and collisions, to affirm the victory of good over evil.

The historical picture of Rembrandt, titled "The Julius Civilis Conspiracy," also known as the "Conspiracy of Batavs," was created in 1661. It is imbued with heroism and severe drama.

"The 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 years. This monumental canvas is the main masterpiece of Rembrandt. It embodies all the moral and aesthetic and artistic problems, characteristic of the late period of his work. The artist with the highest skill recreates in this picture a whole gamut of deep and complex human feelings. Artistic means, he subordinates the disclosure of the beauty of forgiveness, compassion, understanding. In stingy gestures and expressive poses, the culmination of the transition from the tension of the senses to the successful resolution of passions is embodied. In the photo above, you can see this latest work by Rembrandt.

The death of Rembrandt, the significance of his work

The famous Dutch painter, ether and draftsman died in Amsterdam on October 4, 1669. Harmens van Rijn Rembrandt, whose works are known and loved by many, had a great influence on the further development of painting. This is noticeable not only in the creativity of his students, of whom Karel Fabricius approached Rembrandt's understanding nearest to everyone, but also from the works of every Dutch artist, more or less significant. The paintings of many masters reflect the influence of such an artist as Rembrandt van Rijn. The work "Swamp", whose author is Jacob van Ruisdal, is probably one of such works. It shows a deserted part of the forest covered with water. This picture carries a symbolic meaning.

In the future, the great Rembrandt had a great impact on the development of realistic art in general. Pictures and biography of him and to this day are interested in many people. This suggests that his work is indeed very valuable. The masterpieces of Rembrandt, a description of many of which was presented in this article, still inspire artists.