Rembrandt Harmensson van Rijn, often referred to simply as Rembrandt, was a painter, printmaker, and draftsman of the Dutch Golden Age. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest visual artists in the history of Western art. In total, Rembrandt is estimated to have produced about three hundred paintings, three hundred etchings, and two thousand drawings.

Unlike most Dutch painters of the 17th century, Rembrandt's work depicted a wide variety of styles and subjects, from portraits and self-portraits to landscapes, genre scenes, allegorical and historical scenes, biblical and mythological themes, and animal studies. His contributions to art occurred during the period that historians refer to as the Dutch Golden Age.

Rembrandt never traveled abroad, but was greatly influenced by the work of the Italian Old Masters, as well as Dutch and Flemish artists who had studied in Italy. After achieving success as a portrait painter in his youth, Rembrandt's later life was marked by personal tragedy and financial difficulties. However, his etchings and paintings remained popular throughout his life, his reputation as an artist remained high, and for twenty years he taught many important Dutch painters. Rembrandt's portraits of his contemporaries, self-portraits, and illustrations of biblical scenes are considered his greatest creative achievements. His approximately 40 self-portraits form an intimate autobiography.