|
He
moved to Amsterdam in 1631 and later married
Saskia van Uylenburgh, the cousin of a successful
art dealer who would enhance his career, introducing
him to wealthy patrons who commissioned portraits
from him. His other paintings were greatly sought
after and he was making enough money to afford
a huge house filled with many famous works of
art. Of his and Saskia's four children, only
one survived infancy and Saskia herself died
in 1642.
He was forced to declare bankruptcy in 1656
after his ostentatious lifestyle exceeded even
the substantial funds he was making as a painter,
teacher, and art dealer. He was forced to auction
off his treasured art collection as well as
his house. He began to focus more on painting
for his own enjoyment rather than for commission
and his paintings from this time are thought
to be his best, showing a depth of richness
and spirituality missing in the precise brushstrokes
of his earlier works.
|
