Head of Saint Matthew

Head of Saint Matthew, attributed to the Dutch 17th Century master Rembrandt van Rijn, is a profoundly expressive example of portraiture executed in oil on panel around 1660. Created toward the end of the artist’s prolific career, this piece exemplifies the profound psychological depth characteristic of the late Dutch Golden Age (1651 to 1700). While the identification as Saint Matthew, one of the four Evangelists, is traditional, the painting functions more as a character study, capturing the subject in a moment of deep contemplation or divine inspiration.

The painting showcases Rijn’s mature technical approach, moving away from the highly detailed realism of his earlier period toward thick, expressive application of paint, known as impasto. The artist utilizes dramatic contrast between light and shadow, often referred to as tenebrism, focusing illumination on the figure’s wrinkled face and powerful hands while submerging the surrounding space in a warm, dark atmosphere. This technique emphasizes the spiritual and emotional interiority of the figure rather than external narrative details. The texture of the paint itself contributes significantly to the emotional impact, particularly in the rendering of the skin and hair.

As a significant example of 17th-century Dutch painting, this specific oil on panel work is maintained in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. The work contributes crucial context to understanding the shift in artistic priorities during the second half of the century, where introspection and spiritual sincerity gained prominence. Due to its age and historical importance, high-quality reference photographs and prints of works like Head of Saint Matthew are often made available in the public domain, allowing for global accessibility and continued scholarly study of Rijn’s unparalleled influence on European portraiture.