Rembrandt began his education early, his parents enrolling him the Latin School at age 14. Bored with his studies he soon left to study art with a local Dutch master. Rembrandt then traveled to Amsterdam to study with a master whose specialty was historical paintings. His fine execution of these large scale works, as well as paintings with mythological and biblical themes, was an unusual choice for a young man in 17th century Holland where genre painting, scenes of everyday life, prevailed.

After six months in Amsterdam Rembrandt returned home , where at the age of 22 he was regarded as such a fine talent that he began taking on his first students.

Rembrandt would return to Amsterdam and marry Saskia van Uylenburgh, a cousin of a successful art dealer. These connections would aid him in his own career as he came in contact with a number of wealthy patrons eager to sit for portraits. Rembrandt was also able to build up a large amount of art works for his own private collection. These many pieces showed his interest in ancient sculpture, Flemish and Italian renaissance paintings, far eastern art as well as contemporary Dutch works, armor and weapons.

Rembrandt's life would be marred with tragedy however, only one of four children with Saskia would survive past infancy, and Saskia herself would die soon after the fourth child was born. He would have another child later in life with his mistress, but his lavish lifestyle would force him into bankruptcy, and he would have to sell his home and collection of art to pay the debts.

Rembrandt would only live to age 53, yet some 600 paintings, 300 etchings, and 2,000 drawings can be attributed to him. Over 100 self portraits done throughout his life show Rembrandts interest in self examination. He was an expert in showing how facial expressions could express different types of emotions and these skills he would use in his various works.

Rembrandt combined the Northern Renaissance love of detail, fine costumes and settings with the Southern Renaissance love for solidity, and pyramidal arrangements.

He experimented with chiascuro, the effect of light and shadow, and its ability to evoke drama in a piece of art. Rembrandt was interested in exploring the wide range of possibilities of oil paint. His made no attempt to hide his brush strokes, instead he played them up, using the thick heavy paint as a tool to add more movement or emotion to a work.

Rembrandt is regarded today as one of the finest painters of the Dutch school, and his genius was apparent early. In 1851 the greatest Romantic painter of the day, Eugene Delacroix, noted for his heavy brush strokes as well as his color studies, remarked that one day Rembrandt might be rated higher and be more recognized then the great High Renaissance master, Raphael. This prophecy, while considered blasphemy at the time, came true within 50 years.