Self-Portrait is an oil on canvas painting created by Rembrandt van Rijn (Leiden 1606 - 1669 Amsterdam) in 1669. Completed during the final year of the artist’s life, this work is considered one of the defining achievements of the Dutch Golden Age. Rijn executed the painting using a muted palette dominated by deep ochres, browns, and reds, typical of his late style. He employed thick layers of paint, or impasto, to build texture, most notably visible in the heavily worked surface of the face and the heavy folds of the garment. This technique enhances the psychological depth, lending a palpable sense of gravity and age to the subject.
Unlike the often dramatic or costumed self-representations from his earlier career, this piece confronts the viewer with uncompromising realism. The intense, direct gaze reveals the master’s aged features and reflective mood, transforming the portrait from a simple likeness into a profound study of human character and experience. The depth achieved through the manipulation of light and shadow demonstrates Rijn’s mastery of painting at the peak of his career.
This celebrated canvas resides in the Mauritshuis collection, where it serves as a critical example of Baroque portraiture and late-period Dutch painting. The enduring appeal and significance of this work mean that high-quality prints and reproductions are widely available. As a cornerstone of the Dutch national heritage and part of the broader history of art, the image is accessible through numerous public domain resources for research and artistic study worldwide.
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