Self-Portrait

The Self-Portrait by Rembrandt van Rijn, dating from approximately 1635-1640, is a masterful example of the artist’s prolific and lifelong practice of self-documentation. Classified as a drawing, this intimate work was executed using pen and brown ink, enriched by the subtle gradations of brush and brown and gray ink and washes. This period marks the height of the Dutch Golden Age, and Rembrandt was heavily engaged in exploring human character and dramatic light effects across all his mediums.

Unlike his large-scale oil paintings, this drawing showcases Rembrandt’s spontaneous yet deliberate approach to line and tone. He employed varied intensity in the brown ink, establishing contours and form with swift, controlled pen strokes. The application of sophisticated washes adds substantial atmospheric depth and dimension, a technique the master frequently utilized to translate the intense effects of tenebrism often seen in his canvases into the simpler, faster format of ink on paper.

Rembrandt was perhaps the most dedicated chronicler of his own changing likeness, producing dozens of self-portraits throughout his career. This particular study captures the artist, a mature man, during his highly successful middle period. The subject, like many of Rembrandt’s focused depictions of men, displays an intense psychological engagement, peering out at the viewer with direct self-analysis. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this significant drawing within its esteemed collection, where it serves as a powerful example of 17th-century Dutch draftsmanship.

The enduring popularity and technical clarity of this drawing mean that high-quality prints and reproductions of the work are widely accessible for scholarship and appreciation. Its status as a recognized public domain resource allows art lovers worldwide to study the profound self-reflection illustrated by one of history's greatest masters.