When Rembrandt van Rijn moved into this three story house in 1639, he was
already a well established wealthy artist. However, the cost of buying and furnish
ing the house led to his financial downfall in 1656. When Rembrandt was declared
insolvent, an inventory of the house's contents listed more than 300 paintings
Rembrandt and some by his teacher, Pieter Lasternan, and his friends Peter Paul
Rubens and Jan Lievens. In 1640 Rembrandt was forced to sell the house and mosi
of his possessions to meet his debts. He remained here until 1660, then moved to
much less grandiose accommodations on Rozengracht, in the Jordaan.
The museum houses a nearly complete collection of Rembrandt's etchings. Of
the 280 prints he made, 250 are on display here, along with paintings by his teach
ers and pupils. Rembrandt's prints show amazing detail, and you can see his use
of shadows and lights for dramatic effect. Wizened patriarchs, emaciated beggars,
children at play, and Rembrandt himself in numerous self portraits are the
subjects you'll long remember after a visit to the Rembrandthuis.
