Portret van Rembrandt met hoed met slappe rand en geborduurde mantel 1776 - 1844

Ignace-Joseph de Claussin made this engraving, "Portrait of Rembrandt with a hat with a limp brim and embroidered cloak," in the early 19th century. Here, we see the image of Rembrandt, an artist who lived two centuries earlier. The image summons the past through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. Claussin borrows the likeness of Rembrandt, along with his clothing and other markers of status, to establish a connection between his own time and the Dutch Golden Age. This era held considerable cultural weight and was regarded as a benchmark of artistic achievement, especially in institutions like the Rijksmuseum, where this engraving is housed. The image serves as a potent reminder of the way institutions shape and frame our understanding of art history. To delve deeper, one might explore period writings, exhibition catalogs, and critical analyses. The value of art isn't fixed but is shaped by the social and institutional settings that surround it.