My greatest debt in the writing of this book is to my teacher Dr. Ulrich Middeldorf, who taught me the methodology of research in art history, and who guided my studies of art theory and criticism. This study, which in an earlier form was accepted as a doctoral dissertation by the University of Chicago, was begun under Dr. Middeldorf's guidance, and during all stages of its preparation I benefited from his invaluable suggestions and criticism. A United States Government Grant enabled me to complete my researches on Rembrandt in the Netherlands, where I studied at the Rijksuniversiteit te Utrecht with Dr. J.G. van Gelder, who was particularly generous with his knowledge and time. He read the manuscript and proofs, and offered numerous suggestions and additions which have been of great benefit to me. Special acknowledgement is made to the Kunsthistorisch lnstituut der Rijksuniversiteit te Utrecht for generously finding a place for this study in the Utrechtse Bij dragen tot de Kunstgeschiedenis. I am also much indebted to Dr. H. Schulte Nordholt of the Kunsthistorisch lnstituut for his valuable advice and his help inseeing the book through the press.

1. To begin with -- 2. Human painter of the human condition -- 3. Rembrandt's Bible -- 4. Rembrandt's pictures -- 5. Rembrandt's meaning -- 6. Rembrandt's faith -- 7. Rembrandt's diary -- 8. To end with.

“Ernst van de Wetering's wonderful book has taken us further than almost any study over the past twenty years, towards an understanding of the machinery of Rembrandt's genius. No one attempting to write about Rembrandt in the future will be able to do so without taking this fine work into account.” —Simon Schama "Who would not have wanted to look over Rembrandt's shoulder while he painted? Among the countless books on Rembrandt, that by Ernst van de Wetering comes closest to conveying something of this experience because the author combines the qualifications of a trained connoisseur and of a practising painter." —Ernst Gombrich

"This book embeds Rembrandt's art in the pluralistic religious context of seventeenth-century Amsterdam, arguing for the restoration of this historical dimension to contemporary discussions of the artists. By incorporating this perspective, Zell confirms and revises one of the most forceful myths attached to Rembrandt's art and life: his presumed attraction and sensitivity to the Jews of early modern Amsterdam."--BOOK JACKET.