Gelukkig Verjaardag dear Rembrandt

It was 403 years ago today, that Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, the Dutch painter, was born. He depicted himself 40-50 times, which trumps even Vincent Van Gogh. Here is an early self-portrait of Rembrandt and his last, plus some pithy quotes.



"Practise what you know, and it will help to make clear what now you do not know"

"Old age is a hindrance to creativity but cannot crush my youthful spirit. "

"Choose only one master - Nature."

"I envy the poet. He is encouraged towards drunkenness and wallows with nubile wenches while the painter must endure wretchedness and pain for his art."



Here, according to a Dutch speaker, is the pronunciation of Rembrandt van Rijn.