Saskia van Uylenburgh facts for kids

Saskia van Uylenburgh (born August 2, 1612 – died June 14, 1642) was the wife of the famous painter Rembrandt van Rijn. She was often a model for his paintings, drawings, and etchings. Saskia was the daughter of Rombertus Uylenburg, who was a mayor and an important judge in Friesland.

Early Life and Family

Saskia was born in Leeuwarden, Friesland, which is in the Netherlands. She was the youngest of eight children. Her mother, Sjoukje Ozinga, died in 1619. Her father, Rombertus van Uylenburgh, died five years later. This meant Saskia became an orphan by the age of 12. Her father was a top lawyer, a town mayor, and helped start the University of Franeker.

Saskia, who was called Saske in Friesland, was raised by her older sister Hiskje and Hiskje's husband, Gerard van Loo. He was a lawyer. For a while, Saskia lived in Franeker when another sister, Antje, was sick. After Antje passed away, Saskia helped her brother-in-law, Johannes Maccovius, who was a professor. She stayed with him until she married Rembrandt in 1634.

Meeting Rembrandt

In 1631, Saskia traveled to Amsterdam. She was with two painters who were friends of her family, Govert Flinck and Jacob Backer. In Amsterdam, she met Rembrandt. At that time, Rembrandt was creating paintings and portraits for Saskia's cousin, Hendrick van Uylenburgh, who was an art dealer.

Hendrick van Uylenburgh had moved from Friesland to the Dutch Republic in 1625. This was a time of more peace in the country. Rembrandt later traveled to Leeuwarden to meet Saskia's family. There, he was welcomed by the painter Wybrand de Geest, who had married Saskia's niece.

Marriage and Family Life

Saskia and Rembrandt became engaged on June 5, 1633. A year later, Rembrandt asked for permission to marry in Sint Annaparochie. He showed the local officials a letter from his mother, giving her consent. On July 2, 1634, Saskia and Rembrandt were married. Saskia's cousin was the preacher at the wedding. It seems none of Rembrandt's family attended.

Saskia was a very strong and independent person. She fell in love with an artist, even though he was not from the same high social class as her. She pushed for them to get engaged quickly, which was unusual for the time.

In 1635, the couple moved to a very nice street in Amsterdam called the Nieuwe Doelenstraat. They had important neighbors and a view of the Amstel river. Rembrandt became very successful with his art. In 1639, he decided to buy a house in the Jodenbreestraat, right next to his studio.

Around this time, Saskia's relatives from Friesland worried that she was spending too much of her inheritance. Rembrandt asked Saskia's brother-in-law, Ulricus van Uylenburgh, who was also a lawyer, to help explain. Rembrandt confirmed that he was successful and could pay for their new house.

Later Years and Legacy

Saskia and Rembrandt had four children, but sadly, three of them died very soon after they were born. They were buried in the nearby Zuiderkerk church. Only one child survived, their son Titus. He was named after Saskia's sister, Titia.

Saskia died the year after Titus was born, in Amsterdam. She was only 29 years old. She likely died from tuberculosis. Saskia was buried in the Oude Kerk church. After her death, Rembrandt spent ten years focusing mainly on his drawings and etchings.

Saskia made a will that allowed Rembrandt to use their son Titus's inheritance. However, she said he could only do this if he did not marry again. If Titus died without having children, Rembrandt would inherit their belongings.

After Saskia's death, Rembrandt hired a woman named Geertje Dircx to be a wetnurse for Titus. Later, another woman named Hendrickje Stoffels became his housekeeper and partner. In 1662, Rembrandt faced financial difficulties and sold Saskia's grave. Hendrickje passed away the following year.

An Asteroid called 461 Saskia is named in her honor.

See also

• The Embarrassment of Riches: An Interpretation of Dutch Culture in the Golden Age

Sources

• Driessen, Christoph (2011): Rembrandts vrouwen, Bert Bakker.
• Graaff, A. & M. Roscam Abbing (2006) Rembrandt voor Dummies. Addison Wesley.

Images for kids

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  Saskia van Uylenburgh (Schloss Wilhelmshöhe, Kassel, Germany)

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  Saskia by Rembrandt (Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam)

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  Rembrandthuis, Jodenbreestraat, Amsterdam. This house, next to Saskia's cousin's gallery, is now the Rembrandt House Museum.

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  Statues of Saskia and Rembrandt beside the windmill in Sloten near Amsterdam