Self Portrait as the Apostle Paul (1661) by Rembrandt Harmensz van RijnRijksmuseum
Despite his fame, wealth, and influence on contemporaries, Rembrandt never travelled abroad. But following his death, his artworks have travelled the globe and entered the collections of some of the most prestigious museums, galleries, and art schools in the world.
Return of the Prodigal Son (1663 - 1665) by Rembrandt Harmensz van RijnThe State Hermitage Museum
The Hermitage, St Petersburg
The Return of the Prodigal Son can be found in the collection of The Hermitage in St Petersburg, Russia. Rembrandt was renowned by his contemporaries for his religious paintings. The art historian Kenneth Clark regarded this work as perhaps 'the greatest picture ever painted'.
The bible tells of how the prodigal son has wasted his inheritance and fallen into poverty. He kneels, broken, before his father, who nonetheless offers him forgiveness. Another son, to the right, is dismissive, but the father emphasises the virtue of forgiveness and charity.
Rembrandt and Saskia in the Scene of the Prodigal Son (ca. 1635) by RembrandtOld Masters Picture Gallery, Dresden State Art Museums
Old Masters Picture Gallery, Dresden
In Dresden, we see a scene from earlier in the parable. Here, the Prodigal Son is depicted in one of the brothels that he fell into. He's drunk on pleasure - and beer - and surrounded by the trappings of a luxurious lifestyle; rich clothes, women, and peacocks.
This work shows how Rembrandt could easily cross genres; mixing a religious story with what is essentially a real life scene. The work is especially interesting, because it's thought to be a double portrait of Rembrandt and his wife Saskia.
A Woman in Bed (1647) by Rembrandt van RijnNational Galleries Scotland: National
Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh
Rembrandt often used friends and family, even himself, as models for his paintings. This work, enigmatically entitled A Woman in Bed, is thought to represent one of the three women in his life: Saskia Uylenburgh, Geertje Dircks, or Hendrickje Stoffels.
It may have been painted from life, but it probably isn't a portrait - the state of undress she's shown in would be scandalous. It probably represents the biblical story of Sarah and Tobias, chasing away the devil on their wedding night.
A Lady and Gentleman in Black (1633) by Rembrandt van RijnIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Isabel Stewart Gardner, Boston
Rembrandt was however a working portraitist. He painted numerous pictures for the growing class of merchants and businessmen found in the Golden Age Netherlands. These works often presented them as confident public figures in their very best clothing.
Rembrandt seems to have had an affinity for ruffs. They were highly fashionable at the time, but Rembrandt puts special detail into depicting their intricate lace structures - as this picture in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, shows.
Self-Portrait (1659) by Rembrandt van RijnNational Gallery of Art, Washington DC
National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
Rembrandt's favourite subject of all is arguably himself. The number of self portraits known to historians far exceeds that of most other artists. You could say this was economical, he didn't have to pay for a model, but he seems to have actively enjoyed depicting himself age.
Self-Portrait in a Cap, Open-Mouthed (1630) by Rembrandt van RijnNational Gallery of Art, Washington DC
National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
At the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., USA, you can see numerous examples of his keen self-portraiture. Including this curious etching of Rembrandt appearing surprised by the viewer. This also shows off his excellence in etching - a relatively new art of the era.
The Polish Rider The Polish Rider (ca. 1655) by Rembrandt Harmensz. van RijnThe Frick Collection
The Frick, New York
One of Rembrandt's best known works is so closely connected to its current home, that's its difficult to ever imagine it was made in the Netherlands. The Polish Rider is the highlight of The Frick Collection in New York. A fact memorialised by the poet Frank O'Hara…
"I look / at you and I would rather look at you than all the portraits in the world / except possibly for the Polish Rider occasionally and anyway it’s in the Frick / which thank heavens you haven’t gone to yet so we can go together for the first time"
The Night Watch (1642) by Rembrandt Harmensz van RijnRijksmuseum
Thanks for joining this world tour of artworks. Of course, there's plenty more to see, such as Rembrandt's masterpiece, The Night Watch, painted in 1642 and hanging today at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam - undoubtedly the most famous work in its collection.
