Today is the 407th anniversary of Rembrandt van Rijn’s birth, which is why you get a stare down from the famous Dutch painter when you access Google’s homepage today .
Rembrandt made major contributions to European art history during his 63 years and is perhaps most widely regarded for his portrait work, which included many enigmatic self-portraits.
The painting featured on Google’s homepage is 1659’s “Self-Portrait With Beret and Turned Up Collar.” Painted at the age of 53, Rembrandt had suffered the death of three of his four children from his first wife and the death of their mother. He was also about three years away from complete financial ruin.
Of the portrait, the Dutch painter said : “Old age is a hindrance to creativity but cannot crush my youthful spirit.”
Rembrandt was regarded by contemporaries for his biblical paintings, and was lauded for his ability to showcase human emotion. He was also a successful printmaker and etcher.
Art historians estimate that Rembrandt created more than 600 paintings , 400 etchings and 2,000 drawings in his lifetime.
He died in 1669, in Amsterdam, and left behind hundreds of his paintings and etchings .
Some of Rembrandt’s work is still extremely popular. They include: “Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp” (1632), “Portrait of the Shipbuilder Jan Rijcksen and his wife” (1633), “Belshazzar’s Feast” (1635), “Night Watch” (1642) and “Syndics of the Drapers’ Guild” (1662).
Are you a fan of Rembrandt? You can wish him a happy birthday in the comments below!