Self-Portrait at an Easel (1660)

Rembrandt (1606-1669)

Self-Portrait at an Easel
1660
Oil on canvas, 111 x 85 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris

One of Rembrandt‘s large self-portraits with those of Vienna (1652), the Frick Collection in New York (1658) and Kenwood (c.16651669), all late and one of the rare ones where the artist paints himself painting, perhaps even his first self-portrait in this genre. Repentances appearing on the x-ray (change of hairstyle: a large dark beret instead of the current cap) or visible to the naked eye (Rembrandt initially presenting himself more from the front, left hand with brushes placed more to the right, etc.). Archaic clothing as is often the case with Rembrandt, in the style of the 16th century, emphasizing the Renaissance tone of a Titian-style portrait. The white canvas cap, for domestic use, shows that it is a painter at work, but standing and not sitting, as if to assert his pride as a creative artist. (Louvre)