Both creation and creator of Holland's Golden Age of art, Rembrandt van Rijn is considered one of the most famous Western painters of all time as well as the finest portrait painter in the world. Even those unfamiliar with the classics of world painting will likely know the name if not the somewhat murky and mysterious surfaces of his famous series of self-portraits--of which the artist painted nearly a hundred. In oil, drawing, and etching, Rembrandt left a legacy of upwards of 2,000 items, a rich storehouse of images which include portraits, landscapes, biblical and mythical scenes, and historical representations.

Known for the manipulation of light and shadow that gives his works emotional impact, Rembrandt produced works of art that transcend their subject matter. Never content with mere surface, Rembrandt, more than any of his contemporaries, exposes the viewer to the inner, private person. And his ability to manipulate...