Mother reading Bible by Rembrandt Pembroke Collection - Wilton House Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (July 15, 1606 - October 4, 1669) is generally considered one of the greatest painters in European art history and the most important in Dutch history. Rembrandt was also a proficient printmaker and made many drawings. About half of the work Rembrandt did in Leiden consisted of paintings, etchings and drawings showing older people. In these works an old woman is frequently portrayed who has traditionally been held to be Rembrandt mother, Neeltje Willemsdr. van Zuijdtbroeck. Whether Rembrandt really depicted her or whether this is a myth which has persisted for centuries is still not clear. The creation of this myth, which although not firmly based on facts, has been an essential part of Rembrandt image for centuries. The works for which Rembrandt mother was the model give an idea of the young artist iconographic interests. For instance, Rembrandt depicted her as a prophetess, attentively reading a book. Sometimes she plays an active role in religious or allegorical pictures. ?006 TopFoto