Self-portrait in a cloak with a falling collar: bust c. 1631

This etching, created in 1631 by Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn, is a striking self-portrait. It shows the artist in his 20s, with a characteristically expressive face, a thick, curly mane of hair, and a meticulously detailed cloak. The falling collar and the subtle play of light and shadow on his face emphasize his youthfulness and burgeoning artistic talent. This small-scale etching, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a powerful example of Rembrandt’s early self-portraits, which helped to define his artistic identity.