Who taught Rembrandt in Amsterdam before Rembrandt established his own workshop?

Pieter Lastman taught Rembrandt in Amsterdam before Rembrandt established his own workshop.

Rembrandt moved from Leiden to Amsterdam around 1631 and studied briefly with Lastman, an established history painter. Lastman’s influence can be seen in Rembrandt’s early interest in biblical, mythological, and historical scenes, especially in dramatic storytelling and richly varied costumes.

The apprenticeship was short, probably only about six months, but it was important. Rembrandt returned to Leiden afterward and began working independently before moving permanently to Amsterdam. His Leiden associate Jan Lievens was a fellow artist, not his Amsterdam teacher.

Lastman is sometimes confused with Jacob van Swanenburg, who taught Rembrandt earlier in Leiden. Van Swanenburg introduced him to painting, while Lastman gave him more specialized training in narrative history painting.