中文简介：

伦勃朗·凡·莱因（Rembrandt van Rjin，1606-1669）是为数不多的在选择题材方面享有相当大自由度的知名古代艺术家之一。他在信奉新教的荷兰生活和工作，主要为私人赞助人和公开市场作画，选择自己的主题，希望能找到买家。虽然他模仿过去的伟大艺术家描绘了圣经、历史和神话主题，但他的主题往往侧重于人类的基本经验和情感上，超越了文学的来源。即使是在特定委托的范围内工作，伦勃朗也设法使他的画作充满更深层次的个人意义。这些作品揭示了艺术家深刻的人性，有时也反映了他的生活环境。这项富有启发性的研究探讨了伦勃朗绘画、素描和蚀刻画的一些核心主题：如宏大的爱、罪恶、忏悔和宽恕、通奸、父权、代际之间的冲突，以及世俗的和特殊的主题。本书展示了伦勃朗的主题如何能够为这位复杂的艺术家提供新的启示。

英文简介：

Rembrandt van Rjin (1606–1669) was among the few celebrated old masters who enjoyed considerable freedom in his choice of subject matter. Living and working in the Protestant Netherlands, he painted largely for private patrons and the open market, selecting his own subjects in the hope of finding buyers. Although he depicted biblical, historical, and mythological themes in emulation of the great artists of the past, his subjects often focus on fundamental human experiences and emotions that transcend their literary sources. Even when working within the confines of specific commissions, Rembrandt managed to imbue his paintings with deeper, personal meanings. These works reveal the artist's profound humanity and at times reflect the circumstances of his life. This illuminating study explores some of the central themes of Rembrandt's paintings, drawings, and etchings: grand – love, sin, repentance and forgiveness, adultery, fatherhood, and the conflict between the generations – as well as mundane and idiosyncratic. It demonstrates how Rembrandt's subjects can offer new revelations about this complex artist.