The Life and Times of Rembrandt van Rijn

by Hendrik Willem van Loon

1930. Van Loon gives us the thrilling story of the great artist whose famous signature R.V.R. on any picture makes it priceless. He tells about the son of a Dutch miller who rose to fame, who tasted the fruits of success and prosperity and sank to the trials of bankruptcy and utter want. A lavish spender, a generous giver, a constant friend to all in need, he found himself alone when he needed friends most. Six drunken grave diggers lowered his cheap coffin into the earth. The book is full of high spirit, eager thinking, laughter, scorn, reason, kindness, observation, shrewdness, courage, love of adventure, confidence in processes of the mind, and interest in the methods of the heart.

Genres: Biography, Art, Nonfiction, History, Historical, Art History

366 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1930

About the author

Hendrik Willem van Loon (January 14, 1882 – March 11, 1944) was a Dutch-American historian and journalist.

Born in Rotterdam, he went to the United States in 1903 to study at Cornell University. He was a correspondent during the Russian Revolution of 1905 and in Belgium in 1914 at the start of World War I. He later became a professor of history at Cornell University (1915-17) and in 1919 became an American citizen.

From the 1910s until his death, Van Loon wrote many books. Most widely known among these is The Story of Mankind, a history of the world especially for children, which won the first Newbery Medal in 1922. The book was later updated by Van Loon and has continued to be updated, first by his son and later by other historians.

However, he also wrote many other very popular books aimed at young adults. As a writer he was known for emphasizing crucial historical events and giving a complete picture of individual characters, as well as the role of the arts in history. He also had an informal style which, particularly in The Story of Mankind, included personal anecdotes.

Reviews

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

My brother sent this book to me randomly when I was in Peace Corps. I had no idea what to expect and it's the best surprise I've ever had. It's an irreverent and wonderful story about both Rembrandt and the author, his doctor friend. I can still picture their first hilarious experience with coffee. And the doctor's adventures in America. Rembrandt's penury and love for his son. I like very much that there is controversy over its veracity. Is it embellished, is it fiction, is it true? Who knows, who cares. It deserves a space in the Museum of Jurassic Technology.

I left the book in Ukraine and hope that other volunteers have discovered and enjoyed it. I need to get another copy for my bookshelf.

[JW van der Merwe · Rating 4 out of 5]

An epic novel of the life of Rembrandt - very comprehensively written by one of his friends. In a way still an historical novel and also dealing with the doctor van Loon's life(the author) and giving a rationale for everything that happened in Rembrandt's life i.e. the story behind the story. A very long book 378 pages but once into it a very good read. Rembrandt's life characterized by someone with only one passion - art. Nothing else mattered. His singular passion ruined his personal finances and his clients did not allways appreciate his genius. A sad story of a man who only became a legacy after his death.

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been interested in van Loon since I inherited my mother's small collection of his books. Before this, "van Loon's Lives" was my favorite of the bunch. Now I have a new favorite, and a book that easily makes my top ten of lifetime favorites. Those familiar with the sometimes quirky and avuncular van Loon style will know that he read widely and wrote wisely, all the way from children's books through geography and history, and still found time to produce a masterpiece like this. Here, van Loon is the narrator, in the person of his 17th century ancestor, Jan van Loon. Jan is a Dutch physician, who is fortunate to travel widely, think deeply about the times, and to be the close friend of the eccentric painter, Rembrandt van Rijn, during his adult life. Dr. Jan's narrative ranges across a broad spectrum of history, religion, and politics of the time, and almost as an aside sheds great light on the genius and tragedy of Rembrandt, who never achieved in his lifetime anything like the respect he now commands. Hendrik Willem Van Loon is a wonderful writer, deeply knowledgeable about the period, and through the person of his ancestor Jan, offers penetrating insights into the events and attitudes he describes. Not surprisingly, we of today's world have much to learn from the 17th century world. The book is long, but I wouldn't have minded if it were longer. Hope you agree!

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In spite of unnecessary segues, Mr van Loon in 1939, wrote a fascinating account of the life of Rembrandt van Rijn. I felt as though I were in Amsterdam during the golden age, watching it all unfold. Minus one star for digressions.

[Beatriz Rosales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biografía que escrita por un participante cercano en la vida de Rembrandt logra transmitir la trágica secuencia de hechos de la vida de tan grande pintor, un genio no comprendido en su tiempo, una mente que divagaba entre los sueños y pesadillas, una obra de arte despreciada, ignorada y descalificada por esa sociedad que no le comprendió. Mi fascinación con la obra en la que vemos la cátedra de anatomía del Dr, Tulp.

[Bob Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, as far as I'm concerned, is the absolute best biography on Rembrandt's life, times, and friends and acquaintances, even all about the author Van loon, telling all who happens to read this book of a lot of happening of both their lives, from the year of 1642 the year of Rembrandt's wife's death as the beginning, and to Rembrandt's end. The art experts find this book hard to read and understand and on most understandable paragraphs, refuse to believe what is being said is the truth.

The MFA experts say it is all hype, myths, and made up bull-crap and should be taken off the market and burnt, you know,... like the Nazi's tried in the second world war. It is very contradictory to almost everything that these MFA experts have been telling us these last couple of centuries. It reminds me of the time back in the nineties of the twentieth century when I had a lot of my art on display in my booth area in a antique mall called Memory Lane in the town of Boise, Idaho. This old crippled up lady spent a little time looking at all my collection. As she was leaving she turned to me and said, you did read that book on Rembrandt 1642, didn't you? I answer yes I did, and as she was walking slowly away I heard her saying to herself, what a marvelous book.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing writing, interesting and curiously modern. The doctor who wrote this was an intensely interesting
brilliant man who really could write! Rembrandt was a driven, single-minded artist ahead of his time.

[Стоянка · Rating 5 out of 5]

Невероятен разказ за живота на майстора на четката Рембранд ван Рейн и за редица политически и социални проблеми на неговото (а и на нашето) съвремие.
Отличен избор за почитателите на историческите романи.

[Debbie Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best biographies I've ever read. It was written lovingly by Rembrandt's friend who knew all the great master's idiosyncrasies and fears. There are some great quotes by Rembrandt.

[Eva Tipps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this easy-to-read biography on the now appreciated and noted artist, Rembrandt. It was fascinating to get a taste of the lifestyle and culture in Amsterdam in the 1600s. Having seen two or three of Rembrandt's works at Chicago's Art Institute and been totally awestruck at his talent, seeing so many illustrations of his oils and etchings really brought this story to life for me. How can he paint so many tones of blacks? Or make gold seem to glitter? Or lace seem to be fragile? I would highly recommend this biography to history lovers and/or art lovers.

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rembrandt, con su estilo oscuro y profundamente humano, fue incomprendido en una época que no supo valorarlo. Pero, ¿qué dice eso del ser humano, que sólo aprende a apreciar cuando ya no tiene al otro al alcance? Una humanidad que no estaba preparada para ver a través de su lienzo la verdad de sí mismos (autorretratos).
Descubrí su historia en una enciclopedia antigua, acompañado por dos figuras más dentro de un bazar. Hoy, ese hallazgo se ha convertido en una de las mejores puertas de entrada a su distintiva esencia, a un Amsterdam antiguo, y Rembrandt, en uno de mis favoritos.

[Ann Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best historical books on Rembrandt written during the period of his life. If you liked the book and film Amadeus you will appreciate the style of this author who at times reminds us of Salieri.

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was rich with history and depicted Rembrandt's life just as shadowy as his art.

Best if read by a white male.

Donated

[Galicius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Van Loon, Willem, The life and times of Rembrandt, R.v.R.,: Is an account of the last years and the death of one Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn ... who was attended in his ... nine times removed, Hendrik Willem Van Loon


This is not only a biography of Rembrandt (1606-69) but also a story of Amsterdam from about 1633 to Rembrandt’s death. This was Holland’s “Golden Age” but also time of struggle with England. The two countries have superior merchant fleets. England destroys 1600 Dutch ships in a two-year period. What stands out here that’s different from our times is mob violence in the cities. Calvinism gets a black coloring as does the established religion. Rembrandt’s story is mostly a sad one. He enjoys about ten years of fame and then is completely forgotten.

[Matthew Felix · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting read - it was supposed to be written by Rembrandt's doctor, however, I grew suspicious that it might be written by one of his descent - many details were too fantastic and observations too sharp and poignant, however, the doctor Van Loon was an intelligent and compassionate man and I perhaps are judging him with the standards of my contemporaries, me included.

I really like the book but some details did get tedious and irrelevant to the artist rather than a good historic document. For that reason, I gave it three instead of four stars.

[Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cartea este pentru mine o introducere în viața și opera lui Rembrandt. Îmi place stilul personal al autorului, ca unul ce a fost un bun prieten cu marele pictor. De asemenea, este impresionantă viața locuitorilor orașului Amsterdam din sec. XVII. Mulți erau culți, preocupați de artă și de lumea ideilor. Sistemul breslelor funcționa foarte bine, dând o notă de organizare întregii vieți economice. Orașul era bogat și cosmopolit.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting account of Rembrandt: written shortly after Rembrandt's death by a doctor who had been a close friend of Rembrandt and his family... never intended as a publishable manuscript, but passed down in doctor's family until H.W. van Loon published it.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy reading autobiographies. This is a biography and an autobiography. If you're interested in hearing about the life and times of some of the every day folk back then this is for you. I found it depressing. But, maybe that's because his life wasn't easy.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this many years ago, and might reread if I find a copy. It is great read, taking one swiftly into the past of Amsterdam's history, creating credible scenes form Rembrandt's life and people he may have known.

[ayeshaxbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Innocent, naive and passionate artist who went bankrupt, lost his wife and girlfriend, lost his son and finally died. It was sad and very nicely written showing the background of Dutch society at that time.

[Keeley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't really know anything about Rembrandt and found this story very real and sad. It is well done and I recommend it to anyone who likes biographies.

[Rosanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really liked reading this book. it is fast-paced and has humor and is wonderfully written by rembrandt's close friend dr. van loon. i like the simplicity and straight-forwardness.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned what made Rembrandt's work different and special.

[Joe B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply loved this book from years ago. I never read the English version but there is a German: Der Überwirkliche which is very colorful and funny. I sometimes reread it to cheer me up.