Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606-1669) is amongst the greatest painters and engravers of all time. He was undoubtedly the major exponent of the Dutch Golden Age in art, and explored all genres of painting, from the group portrait — which he radically reinvented with The Night Watch — to biblical themes, to his constant engagement with self-portraiture, to landscape. Rembrandt's career is distinguished by his forceful personality, extraordinary technical ability, unceasing experimentation and vast visual knowledge, ranging from primitive Flemish painters to the Italian Renaissance. In a life marked by glory, misery, relationships contrary to bourgeois morality and numerous bereavements, Rembrandt always strove to represent reality and nature through isolating its innermost truth, in a search often opposed to artistic convention and the decorum of contemporary society. The book includes works from the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (4); Mauritshuis, The Hague; Staatliche Museen, Gemaeldegalerie, Berlin; Staedelsches Kunstinstitut, Frankfurt; Alte Pinakothek, Munich; Musée Jacquemart-André, Paris; Musée du Louvre, Paris; Nationalmuseum, Stockholm; National Gallery, London (2); Kenwood House, London; Buckingham Palace, Royal Collections, London; National Gallery of Art, Washington; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Every book in the Timeline series offers a concise, striking visual chronology of its subject, whether this is the evolution of a single painter's style or the changing face of an entire movement in art, fashion or design. Despite first appearances, these are not like other books — each title pulls out to become an innovative two-sided guide. On the front, the Timeline shows you sixteen key images in chronological order — for example, excerpts from the crucial works of a particular artist, or details from evolving stages of an era in design. At a glance, you see a clear visual path through the development of the subject. On the back you will find all the detail — entire reproductions of the pieces discussed, succinct explorations of their context, meaning and history written by experts, biographies of the artists, and more. The Timeline series offers a fresh, simple visual reference that is ideal for art-lovers, casual visitors to museums and art galleries, and students — anyone who wants to see clearly how artistic styles evolve and change over time.
