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In a previous podcast, I ended with the problems surrounding the acceptance of Rembrandt’s inheritance which concerned various people. Here, I’ll provide some background information on these people. This podcast is a counterpart to podcast RM24022 which dealt with the last ten years of Rembrandt as a professional artist. Now, the subject is the last years of his private life.

 1.    Idea, research, author, and narration: Bob Wessels:  linkedin.com/in/bobwessels
2.    Artwork, editing, production: Jan Wind:  linkedin.com/in/janwind-videomaker
3.    Artwork based on the bookcover of ‘Rembrandt’s money’ designed by Teun Okkerse: linkedin.com/in/theun-okkerse-516130b
4. Copyright accountability:
Music: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (orchestra) - Thomas Beecham (conductor) The Salomon Symphonies (Volume One) — Capitol Records, 1958. GCR 7127. Copyright Public Domain - Source: Internet Archive - Public Domain
Artwork for this episode:
Public Domain

1. Welcome: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
1. Blog: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/blog/
2. Website: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
3. Sources: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/sources/
4. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rembrandtsmoney/


For a few years I did extensive research, leading to my book of Rembrandt’s Money. The legal and financial life of an artist-entrepreneur in 17th century Holland. The first edition of the book Rembrandt’s Money, published in autumn 2021. It is nearly sold out. See https://webshop.rembrandthuis.nl/nl/rembrandts-money.htmlOr: https://shop.wolterskluwer.nl/Rembrandt-s-Money-sNPREMBMON/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAu9yqBhBmEiwAHTx5p09qw-mnSxvfLuexD9n-MFLvE_EABhlDHGVEMVes2b2ygNNeyMim-BoCqbgQAvD_BwE

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At least five women played a role in Rembrandt's life and he had a love affair with three of them. First, with Saskia van Uylenburgh (1612-1642), whom he married. Second, after Saskia's death, with Geertje Dircx (approx. 1610-1656) who was nanny to his son Titus. This relationship soon floundered and Rembrandt's role in the acrimonious ending of their relationship was not one of his finest moments, to say the least. The third object of his affection was his final life partner Hendrickje Stoffels (1626-1663).

 I’d like to talk about Hendrickje today. His relationship with the first two has already been the subject of two previous episodes of my podcast – podcast RM24006, with regard to Saskia, and podcast RM24009, which focused on Geertje Dircx. 

Two other women I’d also like to highlight were family members – Rembrandt's mother and the child Cornelia who was born from Rembrandt's relationship with Hendrickje Stoffels. So, today the spotlight is on three women: his mother, Hendrickje and Cornelia.

1.    Idea, research, author, and narration: Bob Wessels:  linkedin.com/in/bobwessels
2.    Artwork, editing, production: Jan Wind:  linkedin.com/in/janwind-videomaker
3.    Artwork based on the bookcover of ‘Rembrandt’s money’ designed by Teun Okkerse: linkedin.com/in/theun-okkerse-516130b
4. Copyright accountability:
Music: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (orchestra) - Thomas Beecham (conductor) The Salomon Symphonies (Volume One) — Capitol Records, 1958. GCR 7127. Copyright Public Domain - Source: Internet Archive - Public Domain
Artwork for this episode:
Public Domain

1. Welcome: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
1. Blog: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/blog/
2. Website: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
3. Sources: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/sources/
4. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rembrandtsmoney/


For a few years I did extensive research, leading to my book of Rembrandt’s Money. The legal and financial life of an artist-entrepreneur in 17th century Holland. The first edition of the book Rembrandt’s Money, published in autumn 2021. It is nearly sold out. See https://webshop.rembrandthuis.nl/nl/rembrandts-money.htmlOr: https://shop.wolterskluwer.nl/Rembrandt-s-Money-sNPREMBMON/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAu9yqBhBmEiwAHTx5p09qw-mnSxvfLuexD9n-MFLvE_EABhlDHGVEMVes2b2ygNNeyMim-BoCqbgQAvD_BwE

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Introduction

From 1631 onwards, Rembrandt (1606-1669) led a turbulent life in Amsterdam that would span a period of thirty years. He reached the top of his professional field, producing many portraits and of course the famous Night Watch in 1642. But by the 1650s, he was facing financial problems. He and his life companion Hendrickje Stoffels were forced to leave the large house and studio in the Jodenbreestraat. Rembrandt would continue living and working in a much smaller house on the Rozengracht in Amsterdam, where he died in 1669. What was his professional life like in his final decade?

Post-insolvency

A logical step in his insolvency proceedings in the second half of the 1650s was the ‘liquidation’ of the insolvent estate. It meant that the assets of the estate could be sold and therefore turned into cash through a sales process. Afterwards, the incoming money was distributed among Rembrandt creditors. 

 Sales of items from the inventory most likely took place from November 1656, more than three months after the inventory had been drawn up. These sales continued until February 1659. As far as can be established from documents, there were six sales in total.

1.    Idea, research, author, and narration: Bob Wessels:  linkedin.com/in/bobwessels
2.    Artwork, editing, production: Jan Wind:  linkedin.com/in/janwind-videomaker
3.    Artwork based on the bookcover of ‘Rembrandt’s money’ designed by Teun Okkerse: linkedin.com/in/theun-okkerse-516130b
4. Copyright accountability:
Music: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (orchestra) - Thomas Beecham (conductor) The Salomon Symphonies (Volume One) — Capitol Records, 1958. GCR 7127. Copyright Public Domain - Source: Internet Archive - Public Domain
Artwork for this episode:
Public Domain

1. Welcome: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
1. Blog: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/blog/
2. Website: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
3. Sources: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/sources/
4. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rembrandtsmoney/


For a few years I did extensive research, leading to my book of Rembrandt’s Money. The legal and financial life of an artist-entrepreneur in 17th century Holland. The first edition of the book Rembrandt’s Money, published in autumn 2021. It is nearly sold out. See https://webshop.rembrandthuis.nl/nl/rembrandts-money.htmlOr: https://shop.wolterskluwer.nl/Rembrandt-s-Money-sNPREMBMON/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAu9yqBhBmEiwAHTx5p09qw-mnSxvfLuexD9n-MFLvE_EABhlDHGVEMVes2b2ygNNeyMim-BoCqbgQAvD_BwE

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In this episode I will discuss these self-portraits and more specifically Rembrandt’s impressive self-portrait of 1658. Rembrandt was 52 years old when he painted it. For over 100 years, it has hung in New York’s Frick Collection. Why did  Henry Clay Frick buy it and what did he think of this portrait? What are the features of self-portraits and where do ‘tronies’ fit in? How is this type of portrait interpreted today? What do you notice just by taking a closer look at the self-portrait of 1658? And, what triggered me to use this self-portrait for the cover of the study which led to my book ‘Rembrandt’s Money’? Before we answer these questions, let’s go back more than 30 years.

1.    Idea, research, author, and narration: Bob Wessels:  linkedin.com/in/bobwessels
2.    Artwork, editing, production: Jan Wind:  linkedin.com/in/janwind-videomaker
3.    Artwork based on the bookcover of ‘Rembrandt’s money’ designed by Teun Okkerse: linkedin.com/in/theun-okkerse-516130b
4. Copyright accountability:
Music: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (orchestra) - Thomas Beecham (conductor) The Salomon Symphonies (Volume One) — Capitol Records, 1958. GCR 7127. Copyright Public Domain - Source: Internet Archive - Public Domain
Artwork for this episode:
Frick Collection - New York

1. Welcome: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
1. Blog: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/blog/
2. Website: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
3. Sources: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/sources/
4. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rembrandtsmoney/


For a few years I did extensive research, leading to my book of Rembrandt’s Money. The legal and financial life of an artist-entrepreneur in 17th century Holland. The first edition of the book Rembrandt’s Money, published in autumn 2021. It is nearly sold out. See https://webshop.rembrandthuis.nl/nl/rembrandts-money.htmlOr: https://shop.wolterskluwer.nl/Rembrandt-s-Money-sNPREMBMON/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAu9yqBhBmEiwAHTx5p09qw-mnSxvfLuexD9n-MFLvE_EABhlDHGVEMVes2b2ygNNeyMim-BoCqbgQAvD_BwE

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One of the reasons I decided to study Rembrandt, the artist-entrepreneur, was that I learnt he had gone ‘bankrupt’ in 1656. This would have brought him into contact with the legal system that existed at that time.

During my research, I also discovered that he was a rather stubborn man who had got himeself into trouble a number of times. This all transpired when he was working as a professional artist in a period spanning four decades in the 17th century.

I was keen to learn more about all these matters. So, I began investigating his professional and personal life and the conflicts he had become embroiled in. In my book of 2021 I have covered the large majority of them.

This podcast looks more closely at just three of these conflicts.

Enjoy.

1.    Idea, research, author, and narration: Bob Wessels:  linkedin.com/in/bobwessels
2.    Artwork, editing, production: Jan Wind:  linkedin.com/in/janwind-videomaker
3.    Artwork based on the bookcover of ‘Rembrandt’s money’ designed by Teun Okkerse: linkedin.com/in/theun-okkerse-516130b
4. Copyright accountability:
Music: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (orchestra) - Thomas Beecham (conductor) The Salomon Symphonies (Volume One) — Capitol Records, 1958. GCR 7127. Copyright Public Domain - Source: Internet Archive - Public Domain
Artwork for this episode:
Rijksstudio - Rijksmuseum - Amsterdam

1. Welcome: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
1. Blog: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/blog/
2. Website: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
3. Sources: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/sources/
4. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rembrandtsmoney/


For a few years I did extensive research, leading to my book of Rembrandt’s Money. The legal and financial life of an artist-entrepreneur in 17th century Holland. The first edition of the book Rembrandt’s Money, published in autumn 2021. It is nearly sold out. See https://webshop.rembrandthuis.nl/nl/rembra

1. Welcome: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
1. Blog: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/blog/
2. Website: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
3. Sources: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/sources/
4. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rembrandtsmoney/


For a few years I did extensive research, leading to my book of Rembrandt’s Money. The legal and financial life of an artist-entrepreneur in 17th century Holland. The first edition of the book Rembrandt’s Money, published in autumn 2021. It is nearly sold out. See https://webshop.rembrandthuis.nl/nl/rembrandts-money.htmlOr: https://shop.wolterskluwer.nl/Rembrandt-s-Money-sNPREMBMON/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAu9yqBhBmEiwAHTx5p09qw-mnSxvfLuexD9n-MFLvE_EABhlDHGVEMVes2b2ygNNeyMim-BoCqbgQAvD_BwE

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Without a doubt, the beautiful work The Night Watch is Rembrandt’s most striking painting. That’s why I’ve dedicated two podcasts to the painting. This second one is RM24019, The Night Watch – The Icon Painting. Where was this enormous painting made, why are some people in the foreground and others in the background? I’ll tell you the whole story. Enjoy.

1.    Idea, research, author, and narration: Bob Wessels:  linkedin.com/in/bobwessels
2.    Artwork, editing, production: Jan Wind:  linkedin.com/in/janwind-videomaker
3.    Artwork based on the bookcover of ‘Rembrandt’s money’ designed by Teun Okkerse: linkedin.com/in/theun-okkerse-516130b
4. Copyright accountability:
Music: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (orchestra) - Thomas Beecham (conductor) The Salomon Symphonies (Volume One) — Capitol Records, 1958. GCR 7127. Copyright Public Domain - Source: Internet Archive - Public Domain
Artwork for this episode:
Rijksstudio - Rijksmuseum - Amsterdam

1. Welcome: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
1. Blog: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/blog/
2. Website: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
3. Sources: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/sources/
4. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rembrandtsmoney/


For a few years I did extensive research, leading to my book of Rembrandt’s Money. The legal and financial life of an artist-entrepreneur in 17th century Holland. The first edition of the book Rembrandt’s Money, published in autumn 2021. It is nearly sold out. See https://webshop.rembrandthuis.nl/nl/rembrandts-money.htmlOr: https://shop.wolterskluwer.nl/Rembrandt-s-Money-sNPREMBMON/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAu9yqBhBmEiwAHTx5p09qw-mnSxvfLuexD9n-MFLvE_EABhlDHGVEMVes2b2ygNNeyMim-BoCqbgQAvD_BwE

1. Welcome: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
1. Blog: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/blog/
2. Website: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
3. Sources: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/sources/
4. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rembrandtsmoney/


For a few years I did extensive research, leading to my book of Rembrandt’s Money. The legal and financial life of an artist-entrepreneur in 17th century Holland. The first edition of the book Rembrandt’s Money, published in autumn 2021. It is nearly sold out. See https://webshop.rembrandthuis.nl/nl/rembrandts-money.htmlOr: https://shop.wolterskluwer.nl/Rembrandt-s-Money-sNPREMBMON/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAu9yqBhBmEiwAHTx5p09qw-mnSxvfLuexD9n-MFLvE_EABhlDHGVEMVes2b2ygNNeyMim-BoCqbgQAvD_BwE

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If I say ‘The Night Watch’, most Dutch people can immediately conjure up an image of this famous painting. What’s more – they think about it with not only a sense of admiration, but also national pride. As I said in earlier podcasts of this series, citing the words of sociologist Paul Schnabel: ‘It has become our national icon and the whole world comes to see it.’ His most famous painting holds the most prominent position in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the literature on nearly all aspects of this enormous painting is extensive and continues to expand. I refer here to just two websites, the website of the Rijksmuseum, www.rijksmuseum.nl http://colmilquetoast.blogspot.nl/2013/05/rembrandts-night-watch.html#WhosWho. 

 1.    Idea, research, author, and narration: Bob Wessels:  linkedin.com/in/bobwessels
2.    Artwork, editing, production: Jan Wind:  linkedin.com/in/janwind-videomaker
3.    Artwork based on the bookcover of ‘Rembrandt’s money’ designed by Teun Okkerse: linkedin.com/in/theun-okkerse-516130b
4. Copyright accountability:
Music: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (orchestra) - Thomas Beecham (conductor) The Salomon Symphonies (Volume One) — Capitol Records, 1958. GCR 7127. Copyright Public Domain - Source: Internet Archive - Public Domain
Artwork for this episode:
Source: Rijksmuseum - Rijksstudio

1. Welcome: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
1. Blog: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/blog/
2. Website: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
3. Sources: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/sources/
4. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rembrandtsmoney/


For a few years I did extensive research, leading to my book of Rembrandt’s Money. The legal and financial life of an artist-entrepreneur in 17th century Holland. The first edition of the book Rembrandt’s Money, published in autumn 2021. It is nearly sold out. See https://webshop.rembrandthuis.nl/nl/rembrandts-money.htmlOr: https://shop.wolterskluwer.nl/Rembrandt-s-Money-sNPREMBMON/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAu9yqBhBmEiwAHTx5p09qw-mnSxvfLuexD9n-MFLvE_EABhlDHGVEMVes2b2ygNNeyMim-BoCqbgQAvD_BwE

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Query
In my podcast RM24011 about Rembrandt’s insolvency, I also discussed which assets where incuded in the well-known inventory-list. It was made up during a two-day period, on 25 and 26 July 1656, by Frans Bruijningh, the secretary of the Chamber of Abandoned and Insolvent Estates. On today’s terms one could sat the insolvency court. In that podcast I also tossed some queries why certain assets seemed to be missing.  

This drew the attention of Desmond Healy, an artist-etcher form the UK. He did send a reaction to www.rembrandtsmoney.com. Desmond wondered what happened to Rembrandt’s etching press? Was it mentioned in the inventory or was it exempt as a tool of trade? 

Desmond’s question guided me back to do some additional research, which led to the following interesting developments. 

This is the link you are seeking for when you where attented at timecode 18.34. 'How did Rembrandt work as an etcher? Yvonne Strang explains it in this 10 munutes video: (In Dutch with English subtitles), https://www.rembrandthuis.nl/nl/te-doen/rembrandt-bij-je-thuis/tutorials/ 

1.    Idea, research, author, and narration: Bob Wessels:  linkedin.com/in/bobwessels
2.    Artwork, editing, production: Jan Wind:  linkedin.com/in/janwind-videomaker
3.    Artwork based on the bookcover of ‘Rembrandt’s money’ designed by Teun Okkerse: linkedin.com/in/theun-okkerse-516130b
4. Copyright accountability:
Music: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (orchestra) - Thomas Beecham (conductor) The Salomon Symphonies (Volume One) — Capitol Records, 1958. GCR 7127. Copyright Public Domain - Source: Internet Archive - Public Domain
Artwork for this episode:
Public Domain - Wiki Commons.

1. Welcome: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
1. Blog: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/blog/
2. Website: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
3. Sources: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/sources/
4. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rembrandtsmoney/


For a few years I did extensive research, leading to my book of Rembrandt’s Money. The legal and financial life of an artist-entrepreneur in 17th century Holland. The first edition of the book Rembrandt’s Money, published in autumn 2021. It is nearly sold out. See https://webshop.rembrandthuis.nl/nl/rembrandts-money.htmlOr: https://shop.wolterskluwer.nl/Rembrandt-s-Money-sNPREMBMON/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAu9yqBhBmEiwAHTx5p09qw-mnSxvfLuexD9n-MFLvE_EABhlDHGVEMVes2b2ygNNeyMim-BoCqbgQAvD_BwE

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Dutch East India Company (Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie, VOC)

Between 1568 and 1648 the seven provinces of the Dutch Republic were at war with Spain. In 1621, a Twelve Years’ Truce ended without the need to extend it. Hostilities between the Republic and Spain resumed. During that period, international trade continued to flourish. The Dutch commercial companies at that time were the largest commercial private companies or multinationals around the globe, in particular the Dutch East India Company (Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie, VOC). It would spread all of its activities mainly in the direction of Asia. Rembrandt would paint several regents of the VOC, the Dutch abbreviation for the United East-India Company.  

The VOC brought wealth to Amsterdam, as well as new, exiting exotic sensations. One of them was an elephant. Let me tell you the story. If you have listened to my podcast ‘Amsterdam – City of Migrants’, RM24007, you’ll remember I touched upon the dark side of the VOC too.

1.    Idea, research, author, and narration: Bob Wessels:  linkedin.com/in/bobwessels
2.    Artwork, editing, production: Jan Wind:  linkedin.com/in/janwind-videomaker
3.    Artwork based on the bookcover of ‘Rembrandt’s money’ designed by Teun Okkerse: linkedin.com/in/theun-okkerse-516130b
4. Copyright accountability:
Music: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (orchestra) - Thomas Beecham (conductor) The Salomon Symphonies (Volume One) — Capitol Records, 1958. GCR 7127. Copyright Public Domain - Source: Internet Archive - Public Domain
Artwork for this episode:
Public Domain Wiki Commons.

1. Welcome: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
1. Blog: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/blog/
2. Website: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
3. Sources: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/sources/
4. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rembrandtsmoney/


For a few years I did extensive research, leading to my book of Rembrandt’s Money. The legal and financial life of an artist-entrepreneur in 17th century Holland. The first edition of the book Rembrandt’s Money, published in autumn 2021. It is nearly sold out. See https://webshop.rembrandthuis.nl/nl/rembrandts-money.htmlOr: https://shop.wolterskluwer.nl/Rembrandt-s-Money-sNPREMBMON/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAu9yqBhBmEiwAHTx5p09qw-mnSxvfLuexD9n-MFLvE_EABhlDHGVEMVes2b2ygNNeyMim-BoCqbgQAvD_BwE

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Welcome, or welcome back again!

 The other day I told you that Rembrandt’s main sources of income were three of a kind: (i) commissions (assignments) for paintings, (ii) selling etches, and (ii) fees for teaching students. See the related podcast Rembrandts Money (available via  www.rembrandtsmoney.com, under podcast 24014, ‘Studying with Rembrandt’). 

 In that podcast, I gave some data on how many pupils Rembrandt apprenticed during his over 40 years of active life as an artist. That would be around 50.

 I will now focus on some students who came from Dordrecht. Why Dordrecht? That’s rather simple. Dordrecht was the most important city in Holland until the 15th century. Moreover, some of Rembrandt’s most successful and well-known students came from Dordrecht, e.g. Ferdinand Bol, Samuel van Hoogstraten and Nicolaes Maes. More importantly, Dordrecht is still a beautiful, picturesque city, with over 120,000 inhabitants, where I have lived for almost 40 years. It is certainly worth a visit.

1.    Idea, research, author, and narration: Bob Wessels:  linkedin.com/in/bobwessels
2.    Artwork, editing, production: Jan Wind:  linkedin.com/in/janwind-videomaker
3.    Artwork based on the bookcover of ‘Rembrandt’s money’ designed by Teun Okkerse: linkedin.com/in/theun-okkerse-516130b
4. Copyright accountability:
Music: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (orchestra) - Thomas Beecham (conductor) The Salomon Symphonies (Volume One) — Capitol Records, 1958. GCR 7127. Copyright Public Domain - Source: Internet Archive - Public Domain
Artwork for this episode:
Public Domain Wiki Commons.

1. Welcome: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
1. Blog: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/blog/
2. Website: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com
3. Sources: https://www.rembrandtsmoney.com/sources/
4. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rembrandtsmoney/


For a few years I did extensive research, leading to my book of Rembrandt’s Money. The legal and financial life of an artist-entrepreneur in 17th century Holland. The first edition of the book Rembrandt’s Money, published in autumn 2021. It is nearly sold out. See https://webshop.rembrandthuis.nl/nl/rembrandts-money.htmlOr: https://shop.wolterskluwer.nl/Rembrandt-s-Money-sNPREMBMON/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAu9yqBhBmEiwAHTx5p09qw-mnSxvfLuexD9n-MFLvE_EABhlDHGVEMVes2b2ygNNeyMim-BoCqbgQAvD_BwE