Galerie Paul Prouté

Born in Leiden in 1606 and died in Amsterdam in 1669, Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn was one of the most famous artists in the United Provinces during his lifetime and remains today one of the most admired geniuses in the history of art. A prolific painter whose extraordinary brushwork was both celebrated and reviled, an impetuous draftsman who wielded pen and ink like no other, and a daring printmaker who experimented with every technical innovation, Rembrandt was also a talented entrepreneur (though he faced financial setbacks toward the end of his life), the head of a major studio, and a sought-after master who trained dozens of artists. Engraving played a crucial role in establishing the “Rembrandt” brand and firm: whether translating his paintings or creating original compositions, Rembrandt explored various genres (portraits and self-portraits, religious scenes, landscapes), all of which are united by the virtuosity of the engraving, the skillful contrasts of light and dark, and the meticulous attention paid to the quality of the print (as evidenced by both the choice of paper and the inking of the plate). Of the master’s 314 prints—and among so many masterpieces—Ecce Homo, The Three Crosses, and Hundred Guilder Print rank among the most famous works in the history of Western printmaking.