Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606-1669), the prominent Dutch artist of the Golden Age, was born in a prosperous miller's family in Leiden. Despite being the youngest of nine children, Rembrandt showed exceptional intelligence, entering Leiden University at just 14. However, he diverged from family expectations, dropping out after two years to pursue an art career in Amsterdam at the age of 16.
By 21, Rembrandt completed his apprenticeship and returned to Leiden to establish his first studio. During this time, he developed a habit of creating self-portraits, often using mirrors to study facial muscles. This self-portrait practice became a unique form of "diary" for the artist, offering insights into his evolving skills and techniques.
Within four years, Leiden failed to satisfy Rembrandt. At 25, he ventured to Amsterdam during the Dutch Golden Age, where commissioned "portrait paintings" thrived. Opening his Amsterdam studio, Rembrandt's previous self-portraits became effective advertisements.
He conveyed that depicting facial expressions with light stemmed from life's imprint on our faces with age, revealing character. Dim backgrounds and focused highlights formed robust chiaroscuro contrasts, adding emotional depth and dramatic tension to scenes.
This unique method set Rembrandt apart. Orders poured in rapidly, making his work highly sought after, all before Rembrandt turned 30.
In his prime, Rembrandt's career soared with offers from the church and government, accumulating wealth and acquiring a lavish home in Amsterdam. His self-portraits reflected contentment, showcasing a more composed and often smiling middle-aged Rembrandt. In these portraits, he sported extravagant costumes or mimicked aristocratic styles, revealing a playful side. At 34, he even likened himself to Titian, symbolizing their roles as the "suns" of the Dutch Golden Age.
At 36, Rembrandt's masterpiece "The Night Watch" revolutionized light in art. Departing from tradition, focused light on key figures created a dramatic, tense scene. Despite initial criticism, the painting became a defining work of the Dutch Golden Age aesthetic.
Despite its monumental status, "The Night Watch" faced initial criticism. Commissioned and funded by the city militia, the artwork's high fee, approximately 2,000 guilders (equivalent to roughly 25,000 USD today), sparked discontent among contributors. The dispute arose from Rembrandt's departure from an equal distribution of expenses, leading to a legal confrontation.
The "Night Watch" lawsuit disrupted Rembrandt's portrait business, pushing him towards religious themes. Simultaneously, his wife Saskia's death and personal turmoil halted artistic output, plunging him into a "Dark Period." Unwilling to flatter patrons, he lost support, leading to a shift in his works. Despite a seemingly careless style, his paintings gained historical and realistic weight.
In this period, Rembrandt's self-portraits diverged from the conventional practice of beautification seen in European art. Instead of hiding signs of aging and financial struggles, his depictions showed a disheveled and unkempt appearance, deviating from the norm.
Rembrandt created 90 self-portraits, reflecting his decline and financial struggles. Some artworks are privately owned, emphasizing adversity with an aged face and intense gaze, connecting with viewers beyond the canvas.
In 1658, at 52, Rembrandt painted a unique self-portrait, donning a golden robe, a scepter in hand, reminiscent of Saul in "Saul and David." Shadows covering his eyes conveyed a melancholic and profound expression. Critics described it as a battle-worn lion, fatigued yet defiant.
In 1669, at 63, Rembrandt passed away in Amsterdam, leaving unfinished canvases as commas. His life, from acclaim to downfall, etched on his face and in self-portraits, spans 30 years of controversy, like an unfinished painting, left for posterity to narrate.
Originally, "The Night Watch" wasn't named so; it gained this title later. Due to a famous lawsuit, the painting faced neglect for a long time and lacked proper protection, hanging above the fireplace in the militia captain's home.
Prolonged exposure to smoke and ash led to a stubborn buildup on the canvas, resulting in a darker appearance. The scene resembled a nighttime patrol, hence the name "Night Watch."
