Self-portrait of Rembrandt

Rembrandt harman pine van reinhard  (1606-1669) was one of the greatest painters of Europe in the 17th century as well as the greatest painter in Dutch history. Rembrandt early studied under P. Sterman’s home studio and he set up art studio in 1625 by himself. His painting genre was really wide and he was good at self-portrait, landscape, genre painting, religion and history painting, etc.

Rembrandt was born in Leiden, his father was a miller and mother was a daughter of a baker. They had totally nine children, and Rembrandt was the youngest one as well as the cleverest brothers in his family. Rembrandt enter Leiden University at the age of 14; when he was 17 years old, he went to Amsterdam to study under Sterman. In 1627, at the age of 21, he basically mastered the technique of painting, drawings and etchings with a new development of his own style. Further more, he opened a home studio and during that time, he paint a lot of self- portrayal. At that time when he left Leiden to Amsterdam in 1631, he became the main portrait painter of Amsterdam. After 1650 s, his painting getting more powerful and the wide use of overlapping color gave the image more stereo feeling. 1661 was the best year in his painting career.

Rembrandt has left more than 600 oil paintings, 300 eclipse and more than 2000 drawings, within that he almost drew more than 100 self-portrait, and almost all of his family member were in his paintings. In all Rembrandt’s portrait, self-portrait took up an important position. You almost can't find a second oil painter who has a larger amount of collection than him. According to the museum incomplete statistics, there are about 90 painting of his self-portrait, including 60 oil paintings, 20 pieces etchings and 10 sketches from all around the world. His self-portrait not only has large quantity, but the artistic quality also rises with age. Especially in the late age, the harsh reality honed him, which made him to know himself more profoundly. Around '60 s, his self-portrait showed a distinct personality. Painters pay great attention to the facial expression so that viewers can read things from it.

As you can see from the first picture, his self-portraits were full of faith, with tenacity and fortitude character. He did the second picture at age of 54. On the left hand, Rembrandt was holding the palette with brush and fork at the waist in his right hand. Unkempt appearance, showing his poverty and humble. Chubby body with scarves, only a pair of eyes can be seen. He seems thinking about something, without a smile on his face and standing in front of the easel deadly. Background was watered down, highlighting the painter's upper body, like a tower stand still.