Rembrandt’s Birth. The great Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn was born on July 15, 1606, in Leiden. The son of a miller, his humble origins may explain the profound and unusual sense of compassion that characterizes all his subjects. Many of the master’s more than 600 paintings, including numerous portraits or self-portraits, are characterized by rich brushstrokes, intense colors, and dramatic plays of light and shadow. After moving to Amsterdam, he experienced greater prosperity, but over the years he faded into obscurity. However, poverty and misfortune never diminished his mastery in any way. In addition to paintings, he produced 300 magnificent etchings and nearly 2,000 drawings.
