It was not long before Van Rijn soon began to study art on a more formal basis. He built his foundations with a local master named Jacob van Swanenburch. His first apprenticeship taught him the basics of art which he was able to mold and take from until he developed his own style as the painter we know today. After van Swanenburch, he worked in Amsterdam for another master - Pieter Lastman. Once the course was completed, Van Rijn returned to his birthplace, where he opened his own classes to teach art. The pupil soon became the teacher, taking his first pupils at the age of 22. In his late 20's, Van Rijn packed all his belongings and moved to Amsterdam for good. This was in 1631, and three years later, in 1634 he was married to a woman named Saskia van Uylenburgh. This made his career flourish, not just because she served as an inspiration but also because his wife had many resources. She brought him in contact with people who eagerly commissioned portraits. At the same time, his studio was always full of pupils who were eager to learn about art. His career was wonderful, but Van Rijn's family life was full of sorrows. Three of his four children and his wife died from one year after his marriage until 1642. Upon the death of his wife, his housekeeper from 1649 became his common-law wife. Hendrickje Stoffels was the subject of many of his pictures. However, he was unsuccessful without his beloved wife. His lack of clients, as well as the extravagant way with which he lived, forced him to declare bankruptcy in 1656, at the age of 50. His inspiration vanished and his clients diminished, but his talent for painting was still strong.Van Rijn had a deep comprehension of human nature and this was illustrated by his brilliant techniques. He was a great artist not only in painting but in drawing and etching. His paintings, over 600 of them, has made an enormous impact on his fellow artists during the time, and continues to impact artists up to thsi day. Rembrandt died in Amsterdam on October 1669.