Titus van Rijn, the Artist’s Son, Reading 

Rembrandt van Rijn painted this portrait of his son, Titus, using oil on canvas. The painting’s power resides in Rembrandt’s confident handling of the materials and the remarkable effects he coaxed from them. Notice the thick layering of paint, particularly around Titus’s face and hands. This impasto technique gives the portrait a tactile, almost sculptural quality. Rembrandt built up the image through layers of glazes, allowing light to penetrate and reflect, creating a vibrant luminosity. Rembrandt understood his materials intimately and used them expressively. The rough texture of the canvas contrasts with the smooth application of paint in some areas, adding depth and visual interest. This portrait is not just a representation of a young man reading, but an exploration of the capabilities of oil paint itself. It is a testament to Rembrandt’s skill as a painter. He elevated the very act of painting to a form of artistic expression, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.