This French-German-Dutch biopic on the life of 17th century Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn is told in flashbacks from the point-of-view of the aged artist. Soon after establishing his career as a painter in Amsterdam, he marries the radiant Saskia. As he makes a name for himself, he can soon afford to buy a large house by teaching wealthy aristocrats how to paint. However, the couple's happiness is short-lived; Saskia dies soon after bearing their son, Titus. Crushed, van Rijn seeks comfort first in the arms of his maid Geertje and then with his second wife, Hendrickje, who gives birth to a daughter. In spite of his genius, van Rijn's determinedly eccentric behavior alienates the very members of the elite who were paying his bills. At one point, the artist's home and belongings, including many of his paintings, are seized and sold for humiliatingly low prices in a rigged auction.
Klaus Maria Brandauer
as Rembrandt van Rijn
Romane Bohringer
as Hendrickje Stoffels
Jean Rochefort
as Nicolaes Tulp
Johanna ter Steege
as Saskia Uylenburgh
Olivier Brocheriou
as Marten Soolmans
Jean-Philippe Écoffey
as Jan Six
Caroline van Houten
as Geertje Direx
Richard Bohringer
as Le prêcheur
Franck de la Personne
as Hendrick Uylenburgh
Jacques Spiesser
as Joost Van den Vondel
Caroline Silhol
as Maria Tesselschade
Nick Palliser
as Constantin Huygens
