Even during his lifetime, Rembrandt was regarded as the greatest portrait painter of his Dutch homeland. His reputation has continued to grow over the centuries to this day. He is the most famous painter of all time and a monumental figure in the European art world. What was Rembrandt's secret to success? Was it his sometimes shocking realism? Or his distinctive play with the sparingly used light? Through many excellent visual examples of his masterpieces, these and many other questions about his life's work will be answered.