Self-portrait with Curly Hair c. 1630
rembrandtvanrijn
pencil drawn
amateur sketch
toned paper
light pencil work
pencil sketch
charcoal drawing
possibly oil pastel
pencil drawing
pencil work
watercolor
Rembrandt van Rijn's "Self-portrait with Curly Hair" is a small, intimate etching created around 1630. This early self-portrait showcases the artist's mastery of light and shadow, creating a dramatic, almost theatrical effect. The work, housed in the Rijksmuseum, displays Rembrandt's signature use of hatching, creating a sense of texture and depth in his portrayal of his own face and hair. This self-portrait is considered a significant early work in the artist's prolific career, revealing his innovative and expressive style.
Comments
Rembrandt was fascinated by the effects of light. This is also clear in his etchings, for instance in these diminutive self-portraits in which his face is mostly half cast in shadow. In the version with a fur cap, we can see that this head covering was added only at a later stage. He began the etching with a bare head: his hair is still visible through the cap.
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