Artwork
The Standard Bearer
The Standard Bearer is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt. It dates from 1636 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
The Standard Bearer is a three‑quarter‑length self‑portrait by Rembrandt, painted in 1636 with oil paint. It was created when the artist moved from Leiden to Amsterdam.
The work was once in the Paris collection of Elie de Rothschild and was bought by the Rijksmuseum in 2021 for 175 million euros, helped by the Dutch state and Vereniging Rembrandt. It shows Rembrandt’s
Overview
Rembrandt's 1636 oil painting, The Standard Bearer, is a three-quarter-length self-portrait. Created around the time of his relocation from Leiden to Amsterdam, this work is considered a significant early example of his artistic development. It signals his aspirations within the Amsterdam art scene, particularly his interest in securing prestigious commissions for civic guard portraits.
Subject & Meaning
Such commissions were highly esteemed and financially rewarding for artists in the Dutch Republic, representing the pinnacle of professional success.
In this self-portrait, Rembrandt depicts himself in the role of a standard bearer, a figure typically found within civic guard companies. This choice of subject is interpreted as a strategic declaration of his ambition to paint large-scale group portraits for the Amsterdam militia. Such commissions were highly esteemed and financially rewarding for artists in the Dutch Republic, representing the pinnacle of professional success.
History & Provenance
For many years, The Standard Bearer was part of the distinguished collection of Elie de Rothschild in Paris. In 2021, the Rijksmuseum acquired the painting for 175 million euros. This significant purchase was made possible through substantial financial contributions from the Dutch state and the Vereniging Rembrandt, ensuring the artwork's return to public display in the Netherlands.
Context
The creation of The Standard Bearer coincided with Rembrandt's move from his native Leiden to the bustling art market of Amsterdam. This transition marked a pivotal moment in his career. By portraying himself as a standard bearer, he symbolically aligned himself with the city's influential civic guards, signaling his readiness and capability to undertake the highly sought-after and lucrative commissions for their group portraits.
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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.
