Description: Rembrandt is one of the most famous artists in the world, so it is understandable that Amsterdam is proud to claim him as a former local. He lived for many years in an absolutely stunning house in the predominantly Jewish quadrant of the city sometimes referred to as the "Jews' Corner."
As was pointed out to me on our canal bus tour, Rembrandt was not Jewish, so the choice of his neighborhood can be seen as an example of how religious tolerance was prevalent in the Amsterdam of his day. (Rembrandt was more interested in the quality of the real estate than in the religion of his neighbors.)
Now, I have to say this museum will not be all that interesting for children, but teenagers might find it worth the time. As a person who enjoys architecture, art, and interior design, I certainly enjoyed listening to the recorded tour as I walked from room to room chasing after my son. I had known that Rembrandt was an art dealer as well as an artist, so I liked seeing the receiving rooms lined with paintings where he once served drinks to his prospective customers.
In truth, I found Rembrandt's history in the end to be a cautionary tale about simple economics. Flush with money when he purchased his house, the artist spared no expense filling his home with lavish collections and creature comforts. Yet he never completely paid off his mortgage. When there was an economic depression, and money wasn't coming in, he went bankrupt and lost everything.
After the tour, my son and I talked at length about Rembrandt's penniless end in the modern context of how people sometimes invest and save. THIS was certainly an interesting opportunity for me as a parent to make some points about wise ways to handle money.
Speaking of which.... An adult ticket here is 12.50 Euro. A child is a bargain at 1.50!
Close