Rembrandt remembered in Holland

Rembrandt is one of the world's most esteemed artists, and is regarded as perhaps the finest to have come out of the 17th century artistic movement.

Holland is fiercely proud of its artistic son, and 2006 marks an important year for the country, as it is the 400th anniversary of the birth of Rembrandt.

The start of 2006 heralded the beginning of a year-long celebration of Rembrandt, which hots up between February and June.

The Rembrandt 400 celebration saw the introduction of the major Rembrandt - Caravaggio exhibition in February, which runs until June 18th at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

Rembrandt spent much of his life living in Amsterdam, so it seems fitting that his greatest works are juxtaposed with those of the other great 17th century heavyweight, Caravaggio. The event has drawn massive international attention, making it one of the hottest tickets in Holland's city of canals.

His sensitivity to humanity, drama, light and shadow are also explored in two exhibitions at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. First is All the Drawings part I: the Storyteller, which runs from August 11th until October 11th. This is followed by All the Drawings part I: the Observer, from October 14th until the last day of the year.

Rembrandt's works will not just be an attraction for art lovers however, as his legacy is also being remembered with dramatics, with Rembrandt the Musical being shown at the Koninklijk Theatre Carré in Amsterdam.

There will also be walks, touring the place of his birth, Leiden, on the Rembrandt Route, as well as round Amsterdam to see how he lived after he moved there at the age of 25.

For more information visit www.rembrandt400.com XXX