Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn is usually considered one of the greatest painters in European art history and the most important in Dutch history. Rembrandt's greatest creative triumphs are exemplified especially in his portraits of his contemporaries, self-portraits and illustrations of scenes from the Bible. His self-portraits form a unique and intimate biography, in which the artist surveyed himself without vanity and with the utmost sincerity. Among the more prominent characteristics of Rembrandt's work are his use of chiaroscuro, the theatrical employment of light and shadow derived from Caravaggio, or, more likely, from the Dutch Caravaggisti, but adapted for very personal means. Also notable are his dramatic and lively presentation of subjects, devoid of the rigid formality that his contemporaries often displayed, and a deeply felt compassion for mankind, irrespective of wealth and age. In his paintings he exhibited knowledge of classical iconography, which he molded to fit the requirements of his own experience; thus, the depiction of a biblical scene was informed by Rembrandt's knowledge of the specific text, his assimilation of classical composition, and his observations of Amsterdam's Jewish population. Because of his empathy for the human condition, he has been called "one of the great prophets of civilization."
This book aims to help you see the same way as Rembrandt has seen. Rembrandt's secrets are not in his words, they are in his works. Look at his paintings in details, the lines, the light, the shadows, the composition, the contrasts, the details. His paintings tell us what we cannot see but need to know and that should be enough. The goal of this book is to make the art of Rembrandt more accessible to everyone. There are so many theories about the Rembrandt's techniques but the book will show you how to get close to his art in number of ways.
