Rembrandt 

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn is one of the leading painters of Baroque art in Europe and a major figure in 17th-century Dutch Golden Age painting, hailed as the greatest painter in Dutch history. In the 2004 poll of the greatest Dutch people, he ranked ninth, just behind Anne Frank. He lived during the Dutch Golden Age, a period of peak achievements in science, art, and commerce in the Netherlands. Rembrandt achieved fame at a young age but experienced hardship for much of his life. His works were renowned during his lifetime, and nearly all significant Dutch painters of the time were influenced by him. His pinnacle works include portraits, including self-portraits, and paintings inspired by biblical themes. His series of self-portraits serve as a unique autobiography, portraying the artist's self-examination with sincerity and honesty. In his oil paintings and etchings, Rembrandt demonstrated a perfect grasp of classical imagery while incorporating his own experiences and observations. For example, in his biblical scenes, he not only displayed his understanding of the biblical text and classical composition but also depicted his observations of Amsterdam's Jewish community. It is this empathetic power that led to him being called the "prophet of civilization." Rembrandt's famous works include "The Night Watch," "Diana Bathing with her Nymphs," "The Jewish Bride," and "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp," among others. In Rembrandt's works, the technique of chiaroscuro is extensively utilized, focusing on capturing the interplay of light and shadow to render lifelike figures. Unlike his contemporaries who often portrayed beauty or wealth, Rembrandt delved into the depths of human nature and psychology with profound insight. His realistic portrayal does not shy away from depicting the marks of time and age on his models, which is a distinctive feature of Rembrandt's work. He depicted a variety of subjects, ranging from classical historical scenes and mythological stories to everyday life scenes and portraits. His two wives, Saskia van Uylenburgh and Hendrickje Stoffels, often served as prototypes for the female figures in his works.