During the early days of his career, Rembrandt van Rijn was commissioned to paint a portrait during the public dissection led by Dr. Nicolaes Tulp at Amsterdam Guild of Surgeons in 1632. Though the annual event had been painted by other Dutch artists, Rembrandt chose to make the body, not the doctors, the center of his scene. In doing so, he not only changed the course of art, but also revealed a knowledge of anatomy that well-exceeded the 26-year-old's formal art education and continues to influence other artists to explore the human body in new ways. This early painting led to a lifetime of works that are still celebrated today, as well as Rembrandt's inclusion into the list of art's "Old Masters." Though his renown was well-earned, his success was not based on an overnight discovery, but the result of years of artistic study, stylistic experimentation and undying curiosity.
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