Andrzej Rej
Persons, originating from Poland

Andrzej Rej

Born about 1584
Died February 13, 1641 in Skoki
Andrzej Rej was a starost and a diplomat.

In September 1600 Andrzej Rej z Nagłowice together with his brothers Stanisław and Jan, and maybe even his brother Marcin, went to Leiden in Holland to study. In 1602 Andrzej Rej completed his studies in Leiden.
Rej was starost of Libusza from 1631, secretary and valet of Wladyslaw IV Vasa, extraordinary ambassador of the Republic of Poland in the Republic of the United Provinces in 1637, he was diplomatic representative of the Republic of Poland in the Kingdom of England. In 1637 he had to negotiate with both countries about the increase of toll rates in Gdansk.
In order to give Rej a positive mood, the Dutch government gave him a precious gold chain. In November 1637 Rej was in Amsterdam, where he had his son Mikołaj enrolled at the Atheneum Illustre. Probably on his son's initiative, he came into contact with the art dealer Hendrick van Uylenburch, who had lived in Gdansk for 25 years. Rembrandt was married to Hendrick's niece, Saskia van Uylenburg. Saskia also lived in Gdansk for a long time and probably spoke and understood Polish.
Mikołaj paid 50 guilders for the painting of his father. The necklace Andrzej Rej received from the Dutch government is probably the one in the portrait that Rembrandt made.
The painting is considered one of the most beautiful and best preserved portraits Rembrandt made.

Source: Drs. Lucia Thijssen, '1000 jaar Polen en Nederland' (1000 years Poland and the Netherlands)
Further information is not available


Polonica stamps:

Gambia 2006, 23 VIII