Rembrandt van Rijn (July 15, 1606 – October 4, 1669)

                                                                                                    

Self-Portrait

1659

One of the most important artists of the Baroque period, and often sited as the greatest painter of the Western tradition, Rembrandt's paintings are dark, extremely well-detailed and exceedingly emotive. As an interesting note, many of his paintings' authenticities are highly disputed. One of my favorites is his late self-portrait, posted above, which displays a growing set of tragedies resting on the great artist's brow; one reason of his melancholy was that Rembrandt, though a prolific and applauded artist, was constantly falling into financial problems, so much so that, when his lover, Hendrickje Stoffels, died in 1662, he was forced to sell his wife's, Saskia van Uylenburgh's, grave just to rent one for Hendrickje (his wife's death was another tragedy in Rembrant's life). 

The Sacrifice of Isaac

1635

Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem

1630

Philosopher in Meditation

1632

The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp

1632