Vincent van Gogh
Van Gogh admired Rembrandt’s use of color and light, as well as his empathy for ordinary people. Rembrandt’s example encouraged him to pursue emotional truth over academic correctness.
Immediate Impact in the Dutch Golden Age
During his lifetime, Rembrandt was widely respected for his technical skill and expressive power, even as tastes shifted and some patrons favored more polished, fashionable styles. His students and followers helped spread his approach to portraiture and narrative painting throughout the Dutch Republic.
Rediscovery & Reputation
After his death, Rembrandt’s reputation fluctuated. In the 18th century, some critics found his dark palettes and rough brushwork unfashionable. By the 19th century, however, he was rediscovered and celebrated as a master of realism and psychological insight.
Romantic and modern artists, in particular, admired his willingness to embrace imperfection and depict human vulnerability.
Influence on Later Artists
Francisco Goya
Goya’s dark, introspective works and his focus on the human condition have often been compared to Rembrandt’s approach to drama and psychological depth.
Édouard Manet & the Impressionists
Manet and later Impressionists studied Rembrandt’s bold contrasts and free handling of paint, seeing in him a precursor to modern painting.
Modern Portrait & Figurative Artists
Artists such as Lucian Freud and others in the 20th and 21st centuries have continued to look to Rembrandt as a model for intense, unflinching portraiture.
Cultural Legacy
Today, Rembrandt is widely regarded as one of the greatest painters and printmakers in Western art. His works are central attractions in museums such as the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.
Beyond painting, his influence extends to photography, cinema, and visual storytelling wherever light and shadow are used to shape mood and character. The term “Rembrandtesque” is now commonly used to describe dramatic, intimate lighting and profound emotional depth.