Artwork
Self-portrait Lit from the Left
Self-portrait Lit from the Left is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Rembrandt. It dates from 1629 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1629, this oil on canvas is an early self‑portrait by the Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn. Executed while the painter was still in his twenties, the work shows a young man illuminated from the left, set against a dark, muted backdrop. The painting is part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents Rembrandt himself, rendered as a youthful figure with tightly curled hair, a dark coat and a white, ruffled collar. The directional light emphasizes the contours of his face, suggesting introspection and the artist’s early interest in portraying his own identity through controlled illumination.
Technique & Style
Rembrandt employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing the left‑hand light to model the features and generate a three‑dimensional effect. Visible brushwork adds texture to the surface, while the contrast between illuminated and shadowed areas creates a sense of volume. The handling reflects the early Baroque influence that was then spreading from Italy to the Netherlands.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the portrait entered various private collections before being acquired by the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on display. Its presence in the museum’s holdings underscores the early phase of Rembrandt’s career and provides a reference point for his later, more mature self‑portraits.
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.
Self-portrait
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Self-portrait in a Velvet Beret
Portrait of Rembrandt with a gorget
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Self-Portrait in the Studio
An Artist in Front of the Easel
Portrait of Titus (overpaint removed between 1908-1935)
Head of a Young Man
Self-portrait
Selbstbildnis in Phantasietracht
Tronie of a Young Man with Gorget and Beret