Artwork
Portrait of Rembrandt
Portrait of Rembrandt is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Rembrandt. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
The work is an oil on canvas portrait dated to 1720, presenting the Dutch artist Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. Executed within the Rococo period, the painting resides in the Rijksmuseum’s collection. Its composition centers on a solitary figure against a muted backdrop, allowing the sitter’s features to dominate the visual field.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait portrays Rembrandt himself, rendered with a solemn expression and short, curly brown hair. He is dressed in a dark‑collared garment with a modest white shirt beneath, suggesting a restrained, perhaps introspective portrayal rather than a celebratory likeness.
Technique & Style
The artist employs chiaroscuro, contrasting illuminated cheekbones and nose with deeper shadows across the face, creating a sense of volume and three‑dimensionality. The plain, dark background enhances this effect, focusing attention on the sitter’s visage and underscoring the Rococo’s interest in subtle light effects.
History & Provenance
Created in the early eighteenth century, the portrait entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, where it remains on display. Its attribution to a post‑Rembrandt period reflects the continued fascination with the master’s image among later artists and collectors.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (15 July 1606 – 4 October 1669), known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
