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Masterpiece of
Rembrandt: Bathsheba
Short biography of
Rembrandt:
Born 1606, July 15, in Leiden, Netherlands. Father Harman
Gerrtsz. van Rijn was miller and calvinist, mother was catholic. Rembrandt was
the 8th of 9 children.
1609 brought a cease fire in the war with Spain lasting
since 1568, bringing wealth and finally, in 1648, independence. At age 14, after
7 years of latin school, he became apprentice of painter Jacob van Swanenburgh,
having studied for some months only at the university of Leiden. His master
painted mostly hell scenes inspired by Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Breughel. 4
years later, he switched to Pieter Lastman in Amsterdam, noted painter of
historical paintings, for 6 months only, to start his own career in Leiden
together with a colleague, Jan Lievens. Three years later, the first eminent
collectors turn up, written comments about him still exist from that time.
In 1630, his father died. A year later, Amsterdam art
dealer Hendrik van Uylenburgh borrowed 1.000 florins from Rembrandt. In that
year, Rembrandt moved to Amsterdam to live with Uylenburgh, the latter probably
having persuaded the artist with better opportunities. He did many portraits,
but also pictures of the passion of Christ. In 1634, Rembrandt married a cousin
of Hendrik, Saskia van Uylenburgh, a wealthy orphan. The first three children
died shortly after birth. At age 33, he bought a magnificent house for 13.000
florins. A year later, his mother died. The next year, 1641, Titus was born,
their only child to grow up. A year later Saskia died, Titus being 9 months old.
Rembrandt engaged a widow to look after him, Greetje Dirx,
who soon became his mistress. 7 years later, a young maid named Hendrickje
Stoffels joined the household and became Rembrandts mistress, so Greetje left
and sued Rembrandt for breach of promise. He showed up at court only after being
called three times. He managed not to have to marry her, but he had to pay her
160 florins once in 1649 and 200 florins each year thereafter until her death.
There is no artistic work known of this year. Rembrandt managed to get her
assigned in a house of correction through bribery the year after. Although he
threatened a lot, her friends liberated her in 1655, she seems to have died the
next year.
It was clear by 1653, that he could not afford his living
any more. His debt from the house was still 7.000 florins, he owed the interest
and part of the taxes. In July 1654, Hendrickje hat to show
up at the church consistory. She confessed to live in sin with Rembrandt and was
severely punished. In October, their daughter Cornelia was born. Rembrandt
confessed to be bankrupt in 1656, his possessions were given to his creditors,
the listing still exists. In December 1657, an auction starlet, lasting 3 weeks.
In February, his house was auctioned, too, but he still lived there for 2 years.
In autumn, his drawings and etchings were sold, but all the earnings did not
reach by far to balance his debt.
In 1660, Rembrandt moved with his family to another house.
In December, Titus and Hendrickje opened a gallery as Rembrandt could not sell
his work himself anymore. Hendrickje died in 1663, Titus died in 1668, 7 months
after his marriage. The next year, a granddaughter was born in March. In
October, Rembrandt died, his daughter in law died a few days later, too.
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 Who
Was Who in American Art: 1564-1975 (3-Volume Set)
Peter Falk; Hardcover
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Rembrandt: Reading a
Painting