Rembrandt’s paintings and drawing may now fetch mind-blowing prices but Rembrandt purchased his house in Jodenbreestraat, Amsterdam, in 1639 and lived there until he went bankrupt in1656, when all his belongings were sold by auction.  During the time he lived there, he used the house as a studio for himself and also for his pupils.  One good thing about the auction is that the recorded list has enabled the reconstructions of belongings which on display in the house.

A few years ago the house was reconstructed to show how it would have looked in Rembrandt’s day. Adjoining (and linked to) the house is a modern building where work of Rembrandt is on display, mainly etchings along with part of his art collection of that gave him inspiration.

A fascinating house both in regards of how Amsterdam citizens lived in the 17^th century, but also as regards Raphael and his life.  At the top floor there is an exhibition of the first edition of RembrandtLAB where contemporary designers Maarten Kolk and Guus Kusters have investigated Rembrandt’s use of colour and reinterpreted it in ceramic form. They see their work as the “poetry of nature, history, colour and landscape”. It is intriguing to see how Rembrandt’s influence continues into the 21^st century.