Artist Rembrandt. "Self-portrait" as a history of the life path

At about the same time, in the middle of the 17th century, the old blooming Flanders spawned the art of the two greatest painters, Rubens and Rembrandt.

Biography and self-portraits of Rembrandt

Rembrandt van Rijn was just the son of a miller. He was born on July 15, 1606. By this time the mill was working at full strength, and the father's affairs were surprisingly good. Therefore, his fourth son, he was able to educate. At first it was a Latin school, and then a university in Leiden. But the kid worked tirelessly and wanted to learn painting. By 1628 he had become a real artist. One of the first pencil self-portraits represents a very young, round-faced young man with artistically disheveled hair, burning eyes. Before you, young Rembrand, self-portrait. In 1630, this is already a mature man. Before us there is a complete desire to create, a real master Rembrandt. The self-portrait captures all these changes. He already has a pupil Gerard Dow, later a very famous artist. These years are a fruitful period for the artist. Everything around him becomes his model. He is still working "for himself," but by 1630 is already beginning to receive orders. But Rembrandt still self-portrait A young man - himself. I must say that the mirror had a very big influence on the composition and the ability to look at the mistakes made. And then, of course, eliminate them.

Multifaceted and endless diligence

For all his difficult life, changing from prosperity to poverty and oblivion, he will write about six hundred paintings, make about two thousand (!) Drawings and three hundred etchings. One of the master's master paintings on the mythological theme is "Danae", which is in the Hermitage exhibition. It was restored by our restorers after it was bathed in acid and cut with a knife. Now, with her lyricism and warm golden color, she rejoices the visitors again. "The feast at Esther" on the biblical story is complicated by its deep psychologicality. The picture tells of a sudden betrayal. About him, with difficulty choosing words, Esther tells Tsar Assur. The Tsar only nervously claps his handkerchief in his hands, barely restraining his feelings. In the corner, in the shadows, lies the traitor Aman. The very coloring of the painting, shimmering with all the shades of cinnabar and gold, shows the confusion caused by the story of Esther. "The Return of the Prodigal Son" is another of the heights of Rembrandt's work. The meaning of the biblical parable is the forgiveness of mistakes, realized and redeemed by years of suffering and wandering. Returning to the father's house to an understanding father, finding a warm native home - everything fit on the canvas.

Amsterdam

At this time, since 1631, Rembrandt lives and works in Amsterdam. If there are not enough orders, then the artist writes old people. And about his favorite genre does not forget Rembrandt - self-portrait. Here he is a mature man, in a soft beret on his head, attentively and directly looking at us. Looking at yourself, the artist will know a person better in general, for we are inherent in different degrees of common features - love, mercy, suffering, anger, resentment, betrayal, courage, steadfastness, confusion.

Wedding

In 1634, the artist marries Saskia van Yupenborh. She is the daughter of a famous lawyer, and Rembrandt, in addition to personal happiness, has material luck, many orders. This is a rather short period of happiness and contentment of the artist. They have only seven years to enjoy Rembrandt. "Self-portrait with Saskia on his knees" - the apotheosis of his everyday prosperity. In it is the artist's well-being, expressed in precious draperies, a peacock on a table covered with a patterned cloth, a beautiful fashionable velvet road dress, the glitter of a high-raised glass, in the tender affection of a young wife. She half turned to the viewer and calmly looks at us with dark eyes. Hair is picked up by an elegant mesh, in the ears hanging earrings. And the artist, smiling and holding the hand of a young woman, radiates happiness. The tones are chosen noble, brownish-red, but from Saskia comes a golden glow, in which her husband just bathes, just a little in the shade. Everything is shrouded in airspace. The composition is a stable isosceles triangle. Also everything is stable in the world of the creator. But first a pencil sketch was made, quite different from the finished work. This is a very light, airy drawing, full of wavy running lines, so characteristic of the master. Rembrandt instantly grasps the nature. Self-portrait with Saskia is depicted face to face. In the foreground is an artist, and behind him is a small plump little wife with carelessly pounding hair on her forehead and around the face oval, so tender and sweet. Simply a perfect child, a person who enjoys having, though dearly loved, enjoys communion with, but relentlessly earning a living. They look at home. At the artist turn-down collar freely opens the neck. On the head - a favorite beret. Many years later, Rembrant will write a self-portrait with Saskia, which has long been gone. He is still as brave, but next to him is a nice old woman with whom he could have spent the last few years. And she retained those features of the child you want to take care of. In her calm eyes the memory of the past is wrapped, and wrinkles are just what life should leave on the face and the heart. It's amazing how a person carried through the whole life the image of a loved one, not for a moment not forgetting a person.

After the death of Saskia

She died in 1642 and involuntarily took with her everything. Their children died, Titus was left alone. The artist did not enter into a new marriage, although his relationship with the handmaiden, Hendrikie Jagers, gave birth to a daughter. And he was carried away by collecting. Money was so rare that I had to move to a hotel.

Portraits of Rembrandt

During his life he wrote about 90 self-portraits. What made him so closely monitor their changes? Apparently, they illustrated his biography. Self-portraits of Rembrandt - the life story of the artist. He followed the dynamics of his changes. His portraits are scattered all over the world's museums.

In 1634 he seemed to be studying himself. What will he come to in life. He has already met his one and reflects on how to make their life worthy and successful. He still can not imagine what awaits him. He is dressed in fur, velvet and a favorite beret.

Year 1640. The happy period still lasts. In the portrait, the artist is quite confident in himself and in the stability of life. A rich outfit, a velvet jacket with satin inserts, a thin white with a lace shirt and complete tranquility just underline it.

1652 year. In this portrait, he proudly looks at himself, impoverished, in simple clothes with a hole on his shoulder. Dark scale, where the light falls only on the face that he wants to highlight, emphasize the severity of the artist. However, on the lips plays a slight mockery - he, like Solomon, knew that everything passes.

1661st. This time he portrayed himself with all the attributes of the artist. Light radiating from the height in the background, and the deep shadows below are typical for the master of chiaroscuro. On the curve of the line behind the artist's back are disputes to this day, but art historians did not come to a single conclusion. Master to all the riddle.

1665 year. Rembrant was already prepared to declare himself bankrupt. He calmly looks at the impending old age in poverty.

Last years

In 1656, Rembrant transferred his property to his son Titus and declared himself bankrupt. Work, having moved to the Jewish quarter, did not quit. For the most part, he painted portraits of his son. But in 1668 the son dies. It was a heavy blow. Nevertheless, in 1669 the artist created his masterpiece "The Return of the Prodigal Son." In 1669 the last self-portrait of Rembrandt was written. Rembrandt van Rijn on this finished his creative and earthly life.

Rembrandt, torn away by his contemporaries, had a very powerful influence on the development of world art of the members of the Guild of St. Luke. His paintings have studied and continue to learn painters.