Google Celebrates Artist Rembrandt's 407th Birthday With A Doodle

Today, Google is celebrating the 407th birthday anniversary of Dutch painter, Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. The doodle features the famous self portrait of the artist with Beret and Turned-Up with a Google inscribed behind him. One of Rembrandt's finest works this masterpiece came to life in 1659 and has been preserved in National Gallery of Art in Washington DC since 1937. Regarded as one of the greatest painters in European art history, he was known for his prolific and innovative renditions of Baroque style that dominated Europe, at that time.

Rembrandt was born in Leiden on July 15, 1606 born in a family of relatively modest means. At the age of 14 he enrolled at the University Of Leiden, but he soon lost interest in the program and decided to study art. At first studied arts with the local master, Jacob van Swanenburch and latter would join Amsterdam's famous painter Pieter Lastman. Pieter was known for his historical paintings and his new pupil was quickly mastering everything that was thought to him.

Rembrandt produced lot of his works in a town house he had bought in Amsterdam. Around the age of 33 he was struck with a great tragedy, as he lost his wife and three of his children. He was also forced to sell the house as he could no longer afford it. Despite having a illustrious and successful career, his personal life was marked by misfortune. Rembrandt's financial earnings were quite high but his need to spend money was higher. This rampant spending would force him to declare bankruptcy in 1656. However, his reputation as an artist remained high, even at this time.

Earlier 20th century connoisseurs claimed Rembrandt had produced over 600 paintings, nearly 400 etchings and 2,000 drawings. His art works came during a period where Dutch culture was flourishing in what was called as the Dutch Golden Age. Rembrandt is considered as the most important artist in Dutch history.