That means congratulations. It's the Dutch way of saying "happy birthday!"
It's probably not your birthday (double gefeliciteerd if it is!), but here in the Netherlands, friends and family members of the birthday boy or girl also get a "congratulations" and a pat on the back.
Why the congratulatory greeting? Well, he may not be friend or family, but today is Rembrandt van Rijn's birthday. And who doesn't like Rembrandt?
Well I can tell you who DOES like Rembrandt... Google! (Besides yours truly and millions of others that is).
Today, in celebration of the Dutch master's birthday, Google has reserved its search page Doodle to commemorate. Often hailed as the greatest of all portraitists, it is only fitting that the artist's Self-Portrait with Beret and Turned Up Collar is the Doodle of the day.
Though he never knew in his lifetime quite the success he has today, Rembrandt has always been rather successful in his career. Unlike many artists who never live to see their fame materialize. Even so, he managed to live well beyond his means and was forced to sell all his possessions in order to pay off his debts.
Born in Leiden on July 15, 1606, Rembrandt celebrated his 407th birthday today. Rembrandt lived most of his life in Amsterdam, where he also died at age 63. The house he lived in is now a museum dedicated to the portraitist's life and works.
Meanwhile, back in the Netherlands, a very special exhibition is going on as part of the festivities. Re:mbrandt - All His Paintings brings all 325 of the artist's paintings together for the first time ever, albeit in the form of high quality reproductions.
From today through July 31st, all visitors to the exhibition will receive a free XL poster of Rembrandt's most famous work, The Night Watch.
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