Artwork
Bust of a Young Jew
Bust of a Young Jew is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1660, this oil on canvas portrait by Rembrandt van Rijck shows a young Jewish man in three‑quarter view. The figure is rendered from the chest upward against a muted brown backdrop, his head turned slightly to the right. The work belongs to the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin and exemplifies the portrait tradition of the Dutch Golden Age.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is a youthful male with dark, curly hair, a short beard, and a white collar beneath a dark jacket. His expression is restrained, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth while his eyes look downward and his brows are gently furrowed, suggesting quiet introspection rather than overt narrative.
Technique & Style
Rembrandt employs his characteristic chiaroscuro, modeling the face with strong contrasts of light and shadow that give the features a three‑dimensional presence. The handling of paint is loose yet controlled, allowing the texture of the fabric and the softness of the skin to emerge through subtle gradations of tone.
History & Provenance
The painting has remained in European collections since its creation, eventually entering the Gemäldegalerie Berlin’s holdings. Its provenance reflects the typical trajectory of Dutch Golden Age works, moving through private hands before being acquired by a public museum where it is displayed as part of the Dutch painting department.
Context
During the mid‑17th century, Dutch portraiture often combined individual likeness with broader social representation. Rembrandt’s choice to depict a Jewish subject aligns with the period’s growing visibility of diverse communities in Amsterdam, while his approach emphasizes personal character over symbolic attributes.
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.
