Rembrandt van Rijn was a famous Dutch painter from 1606-1669 known for his mastery of light and shadow. While his style contrasted with the Baroque period, he is considered one of the greatest painters of the Dutch Golden Age for works like "The Night Watch." Rembrandt was skilled at depicting the human condition and used various techniques like strong brushstrokes and leaving white spaces to suggest depth. His works covered religious scenes, portraits, and landscapes through different stages of his career.