Artwork
Portrait of Rembrandt
Portrait of Rembrandt is an oil painting by Rembrandt. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Victoria.
About this work
The painting features a portrait of a man with curly hair, wearing a cap and a dark jacket.
The painting features a portrait of a man with curly hair, wearing a cap and a dark jacket. The subject's face is illuminated, while the background is dark. The artist's use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and dimensionality.
The subject's expression is introspective, with a hint of sadness in his eyes. The painting's color palette is muted, with earthy tones dominating the scene. The brushstrokes are visible, adding a sense of texture to the work.
The painting is a self-portrait by Rembrandt, created in 1660. To learn more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, explore the technique of chiaroscuro.
Overview
This 1660 oil painting is a self-portrait by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, executed in a direct portrait format. It is part of the National Gallery of Victoria's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Rembrandt himself with an introspective expression, hinting at sadness. The straightforward portrayal contrasts with the varied and experimental approach characteristic of his broader self-representation works.
Technique & Style
Rembrandt employed chiaroscuro to create depth and dimensionality, with a strong contrast between the illuminated face and the dark background. The muted, earthy color palette and visible brushstrokes add texture and emphasize the artist's expressive handling of paint.
History & Provenance
Created in 1660, this work is one of approximately three hundred paintings by Rembrandt, alongside numerous etchings and drawings, produced during his career as a leading Dutch Golden Age artist.
Context
This self-portrait reflects Rembrandt's tendency to explore beyond conventional 17th-century Dutch portraiture, characteristic of his innovative approach within the Dutch Golden Age.
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.
