Rembrandt

A public dissection of an executed criminal, witnessed by seven guild surgeons. Rembrandt was 26; it made his reputation.

A militia portrait transformed into a theatrical scene — figures stepping forward, a drumbeat, a girl glowing in the crowd. Not actually set at night.

Rembrandt made over forty etched self-portraits across his lifetime. The Louvre holds a remarkable set. In ink on paper he is looser and more playful than in his painted selves — pulling faces, squinting, trying on hats.