Rembrandt

Story

Synopsis

This French-German-Dutch biopic on the life of 17th century Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn is told in flashbacks from the point-of-view of the aged artist. Soon after establishing his career as a painter in Amsterdam, he marries the radiant Saskia. As he makes a name for himself, he can soon afford to buy a large house by teaching wealthy aristocrats how to paint. However, the couple's happiness is short-lived; Saskia dies soon after bearing their son, Titus. Crushed, van Rijn seeks comfort first in the arms of his maid Geertje and then with his second wife, Hendrickje, who gives birth to a daughter. In spite of his genius, van Rijn's determinedly eccentric behavior alienates the very members of the elite who were paying his bills. At one point, the artist's home and belongings, including many of his paintings, are seized and sold for humiliatingly low prices in a rigged auction.

Director

Charles Matton

Writers

Charles Matton, Sylvie Matton

Language

French

Country

Germany, France, Netherlands

Release date

9 August 1999

Ensemble

Cast

• 

  Klaus Maria Brandauer

  Rembrandt van Rijn

• 

  Romane Bohringer

  Hendrickje Stoffels

• 

  Jean Rochefort

  Nicolaes Tulp

• 

  Johanna ter Steege

  Saskia Uylenburgh

• 

  Olivier Brocheriou

  Marten Soolmans

• 

  Jean-Philippe Écoffey

  Jan Six

• Caroline van Houten

  Geertje Direx

• 

  Richard Bohringer

  Le prêcheur

• 

  Franck de la Personne

  Hendrick Uylenburgh

• 

  Jacques Spiesser

  Joost Van den Vondel

• 

  Caroline Silhol

  Maria Tesselschade

• Nick Palliser

  Constantin Huygens