This historic house was bought by one of the Netherlands’ most illustrious native sons in 1639 for the impressive sum of 13,000 guilders at a time when a day labourer was content to make 300 guilders in a year. Unfortunately, scandal and disgrace made him unpopular and work became scarce. He was unable to cover the loan and went bankrupt in 1656. His possessions were auctioned off and he moved to more modest lodgings on the Rozengracht. An audio guide will take you through the house, which is reconstructed to look exactly as it did when Rembrandt was at the peak of his career. View the foyer where he exhibited his work for potential buyers, his living quarters complete with funny box bed, the attic where his apprentices worked, his curiosity room and of course his studio. Staff also demonstrate how etchings were mass-produced using copper plates.
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