The Self-portrait with long bushy hair: head only is a notable print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1631. Executed on paper, this work demonstrates the young artist's innovative approach to printmaking techniques, defining his early career during the Dutch Golden Age.
Throughout his career, Rijn frequently used himself as a model, often employing highly expressive faces and dramatic lighting to explore human emotion. This particular self-portrait focuses solely on the head, capturing the artist wearing heavy shadow, emphasizing his youthful experimentation with physiognomy and intense gaze. Unlike formal commissions, these intimate studies allowed Rijn to perfect his handling of light and shadow, techniques characteristic of the period's dramatic use of tenebrism. The intricate details achieved on the paper reflect his command of the etching needle, even in complex textures like hair.
As a print, the original creation facilitated wider distribution and study of Rijn's work among his contemporaries. This piece is significant both as an early example of his masterful use of printmaking and as documentation of his personal appearance in his mid-twenties. Today, this important example of Dutch prints is housed within the renowned collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it remains accessible for scholarly study and public appreciation. Many historic prints by Rijn, including this work, are available for viewing in the public domain.
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