An artwork on Galleree from The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Self-PortraitRembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn)
Dutch, Leiden 1606–1669 Amsterdam
1660
31 5/8 x 26 1/2 in. (80.3 x 67.3 cm)
Painting
Oil on canvas
European Paintings
Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913
This artwork, "Self-Portrait" by Rembrandt van Rijn, invites viewers into the mind of the artist. Painted during a period of personal struggle, it reflects a deep sense of self-awareness and contemplation.
Rembrandt captures his own visage with a striking honesty, using bold brushstrokes and rich, earthy colors that evoke a sense of warmth and familiarity. The shadowed areas of his face suggest the weight of experience, while the slight glint in his eyes hints at the spark of creativity that continues to drive him.
Wearing a dark hat and a simple garment, he seems unadorned, focusing instead on the character etched into his features. Each wrinkle and shadow tells a story, revealing the complexities of his life—his triumphs, failures, and relentless pursuit of artistic truth.
This self-portrait stands not just as a reflection of Rembrandt himself, but as a timeless exploration of human emotion and individuality. It invites us to ponder our own journeys and the stories our faces might tell.
About the artist
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online.Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. Every day, art comes alive in the Museum's galleries and through its exhibitions and events, revealing new ideas and unexpected connections across time and across cultures.The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from The Met's Open Access dataset under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 1000 Fifth Avenue New York, NY, USA 10028
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