Rembrandt

Part of speech: noun, proper noun

Definitions

1. A renowned Dutch painter of the 17th century known for his masterful use of light and shadow and complex human emotions in art
2. An influential artist celebrated for his portraits, biblical scenes, and groundbreaking approach to realism with a unique brushwork technique
3. A prominent figure in the Baroque art movement whose work includes notable contributions to etching and historical narrative painting

Etymology: Born Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn in Leiden in 1606, the painter took his surname from his family's mill on the Rhine, which the Dutch called "de Rijn." Dropping the patronymic and the mill name, he became known by his first name alone, and that name is now used as a common noun in English. Art students and photographers use "Rembrandt lighting" for a portrait setup in which the light falls from the side and above, leaving a small bright triangle on the shadowed cheek. Painters and writers borrowed the name because his canvases of the 1630s and later made that chiaroscuro effect famous. The first name itself is Germanic and is usually analyzed as combining elements meaning "raven" or "counsel" and "sword" or "fire," though the exact meaning is uncertain. Rembrandt was not the first to use the name, and it is not a surname in its own right.

Synonyms: artist, painter, master, portraitist, draughtsman