Young Rembrandt

Rembrandt van Rijn was born in 1606, the ninth child of a miller in Leiden. Here he saw the light and grew up in relative prosperity. In the seventeenth century he grew to become a great artist. This Golden Age of the Netherlands can still be clearly seen and felt in Leiden.

Young Rembrandt Studio

In the Young Rembrandt Studio, the 17th-century house at Langebrug 89 in Leiden, Rembrandt spent his younger years (1606 – 1630) learning how to draw, paint and make etchings at the hand of his mentor Jacob van Swanenburgh.  This is a unique stop on the Leiden Rembrandt route that gives a glimpse into the life of the young Rembrandt. A special seven-minute 3D-video experience introduces you to the young master painter and the most important key figures in his life. 

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Young Rembrandt School
  • Young Rembrandt School

Have your portrait sketched by Rembrandt himself!

Rembrandt was ten years old when he went to the Latin School, which he attended from 1616 to 1620. The forerunner of today’s grammar school, the Latin School provided preparatory training for university. Conversations and lessons were held exclusively in Latin. It was here that Rembrandt also first learned to sketch. He studied drawing here with Henricus Rieverlinck, his first art teacher.

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Young Rembrandt School
  • Young Rembrandt School

Rembrandt's four senses

In 2024, Museum De Lakenhal will celebrate its 150th anniversary. This is celebrated with the presentation: Rembrandt's four senses – His first paintings. Rembrandt created this series, his earliest known work, when he was around 18 years old and living in Leiden. In addition to the Glasses Seller (the Sight) from our own collection, the presentation consists of three works from The Leiden Collection from New York: the Operation (the Feeling), the Three Singers (the Hearing) and the Fainting Patient (the Smell).

The four paintings can be seen every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until June 16, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Museum De Lakenhal.

Rembrandt's four senses

In the footsteps of the young Rembrandt

Leiden Rembrandt Days

Leiden is the birthplace of Rembrandt van Rijn. Here he grew into a master painter during the first 25 years of his life and created many famous works. During the Leiden Rembrandt Days, the historic center is transformed into authentic seventeenth-century atmospheres, complete with hundreds of actors and extras, historical attributes and boats, performances and surprising activities from that time. A large historical theater is being performed that you can walk through yourself, even Rembrandt is said to still find his way today. Discover it in Leiden! Free to visit on 8 and 9 July 2023.

Leidse Rembrandtdagen video
  • Leidse Rembrandtdagen video

In the footsteps of the young Rembrandt

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