Rembrandt van Rijn was a Dutch painter and one of the most famous portrait painters in history. He is often referred to as the 'Master of Light' for his use of light and shadow in his paintings. His work has been highly influential in the development of Western art. Another notable portrait painter from the same era was Charles Willson Peale, an American artist who was active in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Peale was known for his portraits of prominent figures in American history, such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.