Self-portrait with a Broad Nose

Self-portrait with a Broad Nose by Rembrandt van Rijn, dating to 1628, is a significant early example of the artist's prolific and technically innovative print output. Executed in ink on paper, this small-scale work showcases the young Rijn's growing mastery of line work and tonal contrasts inherent in the etching medium. During this foundational period, printmaking allowed the artist to rapidly experiment with dramatic lighting effects and varied facial expressions without the cost and time commitment required for oil paintings.

The self-portrait genre was crucial to Rijn’s early artistic development in Leiden. Unlike more polished, formal compositions, this study captures an unflinching, informal moment, focusing on a specific physical characteristic mentioned directly in the title. The subject’s features are often partially obscured by intense shadow, demonstrating the artist’s early engagement with chiaroscuro and dramatically emphasizing the expressive quality of the dense network of ink lines. This practice of producing preparatory or exploratory prints during the late 1620s was essential in cementing Rijn's eventual reputation as the preeminent master of graphic arts.

This early piece of Dutch Golden Age printmaking is housed in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, which maintains one of the world's most comprehensive holdings of Rijn’s graphic work. Today, high-resolution images and prints of this historical self-portrait are frequently made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread access to the formative years of the master's artistic journey.