The Chronology of Rembrandt's Life

"The master of the studio would sign the painting even if it was painted by his students."

This section of the web site will allow a chronological view of the life of Rembrandt. You will observe that Rembrandt had many students who worked in his studio. Most of these students left Rembrandt’s studio after a few years. They then began their own private careers or commenced to work in other studios. The focus of the chronology section is divided between Rembrandt and his students. For it was their combined efforts that led to the legend of Rembrandt.
Most paintings were produced in studios during the seventeenth century. The studio, or atelier, functioned much like a factory. Often the master of the studio would layout the painting and then his students would fill in large areas. Specialists existed who only painted heads, specialists who painted backgrounds, et cetera. The master of the studio would often sign the painting even though it might have been painted by several of his students.
Rembrandt had a large number of students. When this factor is combined with seventeenth century work habits, the reason for so much confusion concerning the attributions to Rembrandt becomes obvious. It has been the goal of this committee to be as conservative as possible concerning attributions to the hand of the master. Only those works completed in the main by Rembrandt were designated as Authentic Rembrandt works. These works are actually quite rare.
Rembrandt and all his notable peers took every advantage of the studio atmosphere to increase production and profits. These masters found themselves functioning as supervisors and had little time to devote to their own private projects. The committee has discovered most of the works previously attributed to Rembrandt were actually studio collaboration pieces.
Please note that the paintings that appear in this section do not comprise the entire body of paintings attributed to Rembrandt by the Committee. The Catalogue Raisonné contains the comprehensive record of the works attributed to Rembrandt. The chronology section provides only a small sampling of works for the purpose of comparison. These works are presented in colour and will thus load slower than the images of the Catalogue Raisonné. These images will enable the scholar to compare the development of both the style and the palette of the master through his lifetime.
This document may be viewed either in a chronological fashion or by taking advantage of the direct links to specific years. To shortcut to a specific year, merely left click on the time line at the year desired.
Each painting listed within this section may be viewed by left clicking on the title.

"The committee found most works attributed to Rembrandt were actually studio pieces."


1606	Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was born 15 July in the Weddesteeg at Leyden. He was the son of Harmen Gerritzoon van Rijn a miller and Neeltgen Willemsdochter van Zuytbrouck, the daughter of a baker.
1620	Rembrandt entered the Latin section of the University of Leyden. However, Rembrandt leaves the Latin School after approximately six months. Rembrandt becomes an apprentice under the hand of the successful and popular painter Jacob Isaakszoon van Swanenburgh whose studio was in Leyden.
1623/4	Rembrandt entered the studio of the painter Peter Lastman in Amsterdam. Rembrandt also very likely worked with the painter Jacob Pynas for a short time after leaving the studio of Peter Lastman.
1625/6	Rembrandt begins his career as a studio artist in the town of Leyden. He shares a studio with Jan Lievens who becomes a life long friend.
1626	Some of the paintings incorrectly attributed to Rembrandt begin to appear with dates.
1627/28	Gerard Dou becomes the pupil of Rembrandt and works in his studio. Gerard Dou becomes well known for his interior portraits. Many of his paintings were attributed to Rembrandt over the years.
1628/29	Many paintings begin to appear which are later attributed as Rembrandt Self-portraits. Jacques des Rouddeaux and Johannes van Vliet become the pupils of Rembrandt and work in his studio. Rembrandt paints : The Risen Christ at Emmaus
1630	The death of Rembrandt’s father. Isaac de Jouderville becomes the pupil of Rembrandt and works in his studio. Rembrandt paints : Jeremiah Mourning Over the Destruction of Jerusalem
1632	Rembrandt moves from Leyden and relocates his studio in Amsterdam. His close friend and partner Jan Lievens leaves for England. Rembrandt accepts Jacob Adriaenszoon Backer as a pupil. Backer begins to paint portraits in Rembrandt's studio. Rembrandt paints : The Young Christ in the Temple Rembrandt paints : The Anatomy Lesson of Doctor Tulp
1633	On 5 July Rembrandt is betrothed to Saskia van Uylenburg. Rembrandt travels to Dordrecht, Rotterdam and The Hague. Rembrandt begins the work on the Passion series in his studio. Ferdinand Bol, Govert Flinck, Johannes Victors, Abraham van de Hecken and Reynier van Gherwen all become the pupils of Rembrandt and work in his studio.
1634	Rembrandt is married to Saskia. Gerrit Horst becomes the pupil of Rembrandt and works in his studio. The young Jacob van Dorsten is accepted as a pupil.
1635	Gerbrand van den Eeckhout and Leendert van Beyeren become the pupils of Rembrandt and work in his studio. Rembrandt paints : Abraham’s Sacrifice
1639	Rembrandt completes the Passion Series for Staatholder Prince Frederick Henry of Orange. Rembrandt purchases a house in the Saint-Anthonie-Breestrat, however he is unable to pay for the house.
1640	The death of Rembrandt’s mother.
1641	Rembrandt’s son Titus is Baptised. Rembrandt paints : The Concord of the State
1642	Death of Rembrandt’s wife Saskia. Rembrandt accepts Carel Fabritius, Abraham Furnerus, Christof Paudiss, Lambert Doomer, Samuel van Hoogstraten and Juergen Ovens as his pupils and all begin to work in his studio. Rembrandt Paints : Night Watch
1645	Hendrickje Stoffels enters Rembrandt’s household.
1647	Karyl van de Pluym and Johann Mayr become the pupils of Rembrandt and work in his studio.
1649	Bernhard Keil, Barent Fabritius, Nicolaes Maes, Constantinijn van Renesse and Johann Mayr become the pupils of Rembrandt and work in his studio.
1654	Hendrickje gives birth to her daughter Cornelia. Jan van Glabbeeck became the pupil of Rembrandt and worked in his studio. Rembrandt paints : Portrait of Jan Six
1655	Heyman Dullaert became the pupil of Rembrandt and worked in his studio. Rembrandt paints : Self-portrait
1656	Rembrandt declares bankruptcy and all his effects are inventoried for the bankruptcy.
1657	The first sale of Rembrandt’s property under the bankruptcy procedure. The sale was held through the Auctioneer Th. J. Haringh. Titus van Rijn becomes a pupil of his father and works in his studio.
1658	The final sale of Rembrandt’s house and property under the bankruptcy procedure. Titus and Hendrickje begin an independent art dealing business.
1660	The house is finally made over to Rembrandt’s creditors. Rembrandt moves from Amsterdam to Rozengracht. Rembrandt becomes the employee of Titus and Hendrickje in their art dealing business to protect himself against his creditors.
1661	Arent de Gelder and Johannes Leupenius become the pupils of Rembrandt and work in his studio.
1661/2	Rembrandt, who is beginning to be regarded as old fashioned, receives his last important commission. Rembrandt Paints : The Syndics of the Clothmaker's Guild
1662	The death of Hendrickje Stoffels.
1668	The death of Rembrandt’s son Titus van Rijn who was married the same year to Magdalena van Loo.
1669	Rembrandt’s granddaughter, Titia, is born. Titia is the posthumous daughter of Titus, Rembrandt’s deceased son. The death of Rembrandt, 4 October 1669. The burial of Rembrandt in the Westerkerk, 8 October 1669
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THE CHRONOLOGY OF THE LIFE OF REMBRANDT