The Art of Humanity: What Rembrandt’s Work Teaches Us Today

Rembrandt's name stands alongside giants like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. But what made him so extraordinary? Was it his technique, his choice of subjects, or something even deeper? 

From Miller’s Son to Master Painter

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was born on July 15, 1606, in Leiden, Netherlands. He was the ninth of ten children. His father was a miller, and his mother was the daughter of a baker. 

Rembrandt van Rijn, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, 1629-1631

No one expected Rembrandt to change the art world, but even as a child, he showed a natural talent for drawing. His parents noticed it and made the unusual decision to enroll him at the University of Leiden when he was just 14 years old.

But academics didn’t hold his interest. His love for art took over, leading him to leave university and apprentice under local painters. By the age of 19, Rembrandt was already teaching art to his own students. 

The Artist Who Revealed Souls

Rembrandt was fascinated with people's inner worlds. While other artists of his time focused on idealized beauty, he was interested in the raw, real human emotions. He didn’t just paint what he saw; he painted what he felt.

He was a master at telling stories through his art, bringing to life not only how people looked, but also who they were inside.

Rembrandt, Philosopher in Meditation, 1632

This approach was groundbreaking. Rembrandt’s portraits became windows into the human soul. He spent hours observing people in the streets, markets, and taverns of Amsterdam, sketching their expressions and movements.

This deep understanding of humanity became his signature. He used a technique called chiaroscuro—the contrast between light and dark—to highlight the drama and emotion in his subjects’ faces.

The Fall from Fame

Rembrandt found success early in his career, but it didn’t last. By his 30s, he was the most popular portrait painter in Amsterdam, enjoying wealth and fame. But life took a harsh turn.

He lost three of his four children when they were very young, and his beloved wife, Saskia, died when she was just 30 years old. These losses left Rembrandt devastated, and this sadness is clear in the darker, more thoughtful tone of his later works.

Rembrandt, Self Portrait, 1659

In addition, as the art market changed, people’s tastes shifted toward more decorative styles. Rembrandt’s serious, introspective work became less popular.

He stopped receiving new commissions, and even his friends and patrons distanced themselves from him. By 1656, he was forced to declare bankruptcy and sell his house and most of his belongings.

The Strength to Keep Going

Even with all these setbacks, Rembrandt never gave up. In fact, these challenges pushed him to create some of his most powerful and emotionally deep works.

Rembrandt, The Return of the Prodigal Son, 1661–1669

One of his most significant pieces from this period is The Return of the Prodigal Son, painted near the end of his life. This work highlights Rembrandt’s skill in expressing complex emotions through light and gestures.

The way the father’s hands rest on his son’s shoulders tells a story of forgiveness and love that words could never fully capture.

Works That Changed Art Forever

Throughout his career, Rembrandt created hundreds of paintings, etchings, and drawings, but a few stand out as true masterpieces. The Night Watch broke the rules of group portraits.

Instead of stiff, posed figures, Rembrandt created a lively, almost cinematic scene, bringing his subjects to life in a way that had never been done before.

Rembrandt, The Night Watch, 1642

Another important work is The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp. This painting shows Rembrandt’s ability to combine scientific observation with artistic creativity.

The painting depicts a group of doctors gathered around a cadaver, watching as Dr. Tulp performs a dissection. The use of light in this painting highlights the physical details and adds a solemn, respectful tone to the act of learning.

Rembrandt, The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, 1632

Finally, Rembrandt’s self-portraits—nearly 100 in total—serve as a visual autobiography. These paintings show how Rembrandt’s appearance changed over time and reveal his growing understanding of himself and the world.

Through these self-portraits, we see Rembrandt as a real person who aged, suffered, and struggled to hold on to his artistic identity.

A Legacy That Lasts

Rembrandt’s greatest achievement wasn’t tied to a single painting but to his lifelong commitment to capturing truth in his art. He refused to flatter his subjects or follow popular trends, choosing instead to explore the depths of the human experience.

His use of light and shadow revealed character and emotion in a way that was ahead of its time.

“Life etches itself onto our faces as we grow older, showing our violence, excesses or kindnesses.” - Rembrandt

This dedication to his vision came at a personal cost. Rembrandt died in Amsterdam on October 4, 1669, poor and out of fashion. Yet, his last works show an artist still at the top of his game, continuing to explore new techniques and emotional depths.

The Light That Shines On

Unlike many other Dutch artists of the 17th century, Rembrandt’s works span a wide range of styles and subjects, from portraits and landscapes to scenes from the Bible and mythology.

Today, Rembrandt is recognized as one of the greatest painters in Western art history. His influence reaches far beyond the world of art.

Filmmakers study his use of light and shadow. Psychologists look at his portraits to understand human nature. Writers find inspiration in the stories his paintings tell.