Self portrait with Saskia (1636)

Rembrandt (1606-1669)

Self portrait with Saskia
1636
Etching, 10.4 x 9.5 cm
Princeton University Art MuseumPrinceton

Rembrandt painted, etched, and drew more than seventy-five self-portraits. A few of these include his first wife, Saskia van Uylenburgh, whom he married in 1634. Here, Rembrandt portrays both himself and Saskia in historical dress. In so doing, he challenged conventional portraiture, which featured contemporary attire. Beyond serving as an informal marriage portrait, the print clearly foregrounds Rembrandt’s identity as a working artist. Shown in the act of drawing or etching, he commands the space and our attention, relegating his wife to the background. (PUAM)

See also:

• Uylenburgh, Saskia van (1612-1642)