Self-portrait with long bushy hair: head only

The work Self-portrait with long bushy hair: head only was executed by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1631. This remarkable print, created during the artist’s prolific early period in Leiden, captures him using his own image as a vehicle for technical and expressive experimentation. As a master printmaker, Rijn employed etching techniques to rapidly develop and refine expressions, volume, and texture on paper, essential elements for his later, complex commissions. This specific piece emphasizes the raw immediacy of his line work, especially visible in the dramatic portrayal of the "bushy hair" referenced in the title.

The print focuses exclusively on the artist’s head, studying the effects of light and shadow on the face. This dramatic contrast, a hallmark of 17th-century Dutch realism, allows Rijn to explore a range of psychological states, often blurring the line between traditional self-portraiture and the specialized character study known as the tronie. These early graphic works were crucial for Rijn’s development, serving as a dynamic catalog of human emotion that would inform his grander narrative paintings.

As a leading innovator in the art of the print, Rijn’s etchings were widely circulated, helping to establish his growing international reputation during the Dutch Golden Age. Many of his prints, including this striking 1631 self-portrait, have since entered the public domain, ensuring broad accessibility for scholars and enthusiasts worldwide. This significant work is held in the renowned collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, which houses a comprehensive repository of Dutch prints and drawings. This piece offers foundational insight into Rijn’s commitment to self-study, a defining theme across his lifetime of art production.