Portret van Rembrandt 1837 - 1840

Carel Christiaan Antony Last made this print of Rembrandt, but it is not dated. The print is a cultural artifact that embodies the shifting perception of Rembrandt across the centuries. In the 19th century, Rembrandt was seen as the epitome of Dutch national identity. This print reflects the cultural milieu of the time and the institutional pressures of the Dutch art world. The Rijksmuseum, where this print is housed, played a crucial role in shaping this national narrative. The image itself perpetuates a romanticized vision of the artist as a melancholic genius, a visual code that resonated with the 19th-century art market. The print subtly reinforces the conservative values of the Dutch establishment and acts as a form of cultural branding. By examining archival material and exhibition records, we can understand the social and institutional context that shaped the production and reception of this print, enriching our understanding of the political undercurrents within the Dutch art world.