The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-02-26

A sKErcH OF HIs EARLY cAREEE-JiIs
FIRST PAINTINGS

Rembrandt was the youngest Of
seven children, of whom two died IN
infancy.
His father, Herman Gerretsz, VISA
miller who lived on one Of the am
parts neat the White Gate of the city
Of Leyden. According 10 Blanee,
who claims to have gained access to
documents heretofore unknown, be
was horn on the 18th of June, l6O6,
and received his bsptismal nsme OF
Rembrandt son Of Hermensz van Ryn
that ia. Rembrandt son Of Herman OF
the Rhine.
His father, being well of 10 world
" goods. determined to give bis
Youngest son an education, and be
was. when at q suitable age, sent TO
the University Of Leyden. This IN
iyersity. which numbered among It's
leaders ScsIiger, Grolius (the mon
ster OF erudition,) Arminios and boer-
have. was founded by William the
Silent. in commenoration OF the brave
defence made by the Leyoeners
against the Spaniards.
He offered the people their choice,
the remission Of taxes or the found
Ing of . university, and they enc
the latter. Rembrandt much prefer
red to the study of letters that OF art,
aud bis parents wisely let him follow
bis bent.
Accounts differ as to who were his
teachers-the pupil at any rate soon
outgrew them-Sandrart, bis co.,
temporary, asserting be studied hrst
with Sganenburg, and then spent SIX
months in the studio of Eastman at
Amsterdam: while Houbraken with
equal positiveness declares Eastman
was bis FIRST teacher, whom be left 10
six months, in order to study under
Jacques Pinas.
Certain il is that in both Eastman
ard Pinas's works are to be found
the rudimeDts of The style of art which
was rendered imperisbable by their
pupil.
The year 1923 brought him, 8 lad
Of seventeen, again bone, studying
himself the arts of painting aud etch-
ing. He is justly called the
prince Of Etcbers," using not only
the needle, but also the dry point.
and the grover in giving the finishing
touches.
In 1867 a fine collection of bis etch-
ings was exhibited in London, and q
series Of articles commenting on them
appeared 10 the Academy, written by
G. IL. Middleton, under the title OF
"NOtes on Rembrandt"
His first etchiDgs, as far as known.
were done 10 1923, his mother being
the subject; and this same year he
accepted bis first pupil, Gerard Douw,
who remained with him for three
years. The next year be etched his
own portrait, the FIRST Of the series
representing him from youth TO age,
ia every variety of position and cos
tune, there being no less than thirty
three portraits Of himself, the last
bearing date 1861. Tue nrst Of these
is the likeness Of a man alert and Wig
orous.
His broad forehead, slightly arcbed,
shows the developments which an-
nounce imagination. His abundant
hair, of q warm hue bordering on red,
and naturally curly, seems to disclose
a Jewish type. His face, spite of its
ugliness. is one of much expression ;
a large broad nose, high cheek-bones,
a coarse, rough skin, give an air of
vulgarity, redeemed, however, by the
brilliancy Of the eyes.
Such was Rembrandt 10 his youth;
and the character of his figures would
necessarily resemble the character of
hia own person; that is, they would
have expressiveness without nobility.
q great deal of Sentiment" but no
style.
TIE last portrait is that Of an old
man, the face wrinkled by age, and
roneless, dressed, however, 10 the
bravery of a fur robe, a velvet cap,
and across his breast a chain.
The first paintings that IA be au-
thenticated ss Rembrsndt's were ex-
ecuted 10 1880, one of which is now
in the gallery at Cassel, the portrait
OK an old msn. showing ven 10 this
early picture the wonderful effects Of
light and shade for which the master
is celebrated. His fame was no long.
er confined to Leyden. He hal once
or twice visited the Hague, bad re
ceived commissions from Amsterdam
eonnoisseurs and art lovers came tc
seek him cut; and ia consequence o.
repeated suggestions he, in 1850, re-
moved to Amsterdam, and took a.
once his acknowledged place as the
head Of the Dutch school Of art.