Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was born July 15, 1606 in Leiden, the Netherlands. His father worked at a mill, as did many Dutchmen, but wanted his son to work in an academic profession. However, Rembrandt left his studies at the University of Leiden in order to study painting.
His work had become well known by 1631 and so he left his successful Leiden studio for Amsterdam. After this he became Holland's premier painter. As a well-known painter, many of his commissions involved portraits. …
