Portrait of Rembrandt van Rijn 1628

Rembrandt van Rijn's 1628 self-portrait is a striking example of the artist's early work. Painted at the young age of 22, it displays the artist's burgeoning talent for capturing a sense of life and individuality. Rembrandt uses a chiaroscuro technique, where strong contrasts of light and dark create a sense of volume and depth, highlighting the sitter's features and gaze. The soft light illuminating his face, combined with the dark background, intensifies the intensity of his expression, emphasizing his self-awareness. This oil-on-canvas portrait, measuring 57 x 44.5 cm, showcases Rembrandt's early mastery of portraiture, a genre he would continue to explore throughout his prolific career.