Self-Portrait is a 1660 oil on canvas painting by the Dutch artist Rembrandt, one of over 40 self-portraits by Rembrandt. Painted when the artist was fifty-four, it has been noted as a work in which may be seen "the wrinkled brow and the worried expression the troubled condition of his mind".[1] Part of the Benjamin Altman Collection, it has been in the Metropolitan Museum of Art since 1913.
The Altman portrait is dated 1660, when he was fifty-four years old. This was a year of anxiety for him. He had just been declared bankrupt. He saw his collection of art treasures disposed of at auction and himself deserted by his pupils and his friends, with no studio of his own in which to set up his easel. In this portrait we have a work of mature years, when he brought all the skill and resources of a lifetime to its creation.[1] The lift of the eyebrows that wrinkle his forehead is that of whimsical impatience, yet the spark in his eyes denies defeat. The mouth is drawn and the mark of undeserved neglect is evident in the premature wrinkles, but a certain merry pride lurks in the tilted cap and raised head. A pang of pity shoots through us, only to be replaced by one of keen satisfaction that he, the neglected, is remembered and they, the aristocrats, are forgotten.[2] Though this great artist lived several years longer, they were years of misery, and he painted only one more great work, "The Syndics of the Cloth Hall," now in the Ryks Museum in Amsterdam. His great reputation suffered an almost total eclipse, although to-day he is probably the most popular painter that ever lived. Yet he never lost his courage, and as we see him in this portrait he carries his head bravely and wears his hat jauntily, as if in defiance of the evils that engulfed him. Heretofore we may have felt acquainted with Rembrandt the painter, but now we know Rembrandt the man; for just so he must have looked to his neighbors in the troublous year 1660.[1]
Composition
Technically this portrait shows Rembrandt at his best. The hat, a rich black, and the background, a warm green, are smoothly painted. The shadows in the face are thin, warm, and transparent, while the lighter parts, as on the cheek, are laid on with a well-loaded brush, suggesting the texture of the flesh and made to glow with color. Over a red waistcoat Rembrandt wears a heavy, brownish coat.[1]
13 May 1826: purchased by Alexander Baring, 1st Baron Ashburton (1774–1848), at the sale of the collection of William Waldegrave, 1st Baron Radstock at Christie's, London
1909/1910: purchased by Benjamin Altman (1840–1913), New York, from Charles Sedelmeyer, Paris
1913: bequeathed to Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, by Benjamin Altman, New York
Related self-portraits by Rembrandt
Self-portrait, 1658. Frick Collection
Those who happen to be familiar with the self-portrait of a year or so earlier, belonging to Henry C. Frick, will find a comparison of the moods of that picture and our work an interesting one. In the portrait owned by Mr. Frick, though it was also painted in a troubled time, he paints himself as though he were a philosopher or prophet to whom all things but his own thoughts are indifferent. In the Altman picture he is prematurely aged by his troubles and is pestered with worries, "the little cares and anxieties of daily life." His forehead is wrinkled and the mouth is drawn, but the cap is tilted a little jauntily on one side and the head is erect and proud.[3]
Notes
^ abcdVan Laer, A.T. (1916). "PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST". Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine. 93: 18. from the original on 2017-02-23. Retrieved 2011-05-15.
^Bryant, Lorinda Munson (1915). "VIII". What pictures to see in America. John Lane. p. 122. from the original on 2014-07-08. Retrieved 2011-05-15.
^Metropolitan Museum of Art (1914). Handbook of the Benjamin Altman collection. The Gilliss press. pp. 26. Retrieved 2011-05-15.
This article incorporates text from Century illustrated monthly magazine, by A.T. Van Lear, a publication from 1916, now in the public domain in the United States. This article incorporates text from What pictures to see in America, by Lorinda Munson Bryant, a publication from 1915, now in the public domain in the United States. This article incorporates text from Handbook of the Benjamin Altman collection, by Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Gilliss press), a publication from 1914, now in the public domain in the United States.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Self-portrait (Rembrandt, 1660).
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Long Island University
Copy at Victoria & Albert Museum
February 24, 2023
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Self Portrait is a 1660 oil on canvas painting by the Dutch artist Rembrandt one of over 40 self portraits by Rembrandt Painted when the artist was fifty four it has been noted as a work in which may be seen the wrinkled brow and the worried expression the troubled condition of his mind 1 Part of the Benjamin Altman Collection it has been in the Metropolitan Museum of Art since 1913 Self Portrait 1660ArtistRembrandtYear1660MediumOil on canvasDimensions80 3 cm 67 3 cm 31 5 8 in 26 1 2 in LocationMetropolitan Museum of Art New York City Contents 1 Description 2 Composition 3 Provenance 4 Related self portraits by Rembrandt 5 Notes 6 External linksDescription EditThe Altman portrait is dated 1660 when he was fifty four years old This was a year of anxiety for him He had just been declared bankrupt He saw his collection of art treasures disposed of at auction and himself deserted by his pupils and his friends with no studio of his own in which to set up his easel In this portrait we have a work of mature years when he brought all the skill and resources of a lifetime to its creation 1 The lift of the eyebrows that wrinkle his forehead is that of whimsical impatience yet the spark in his eyes denies defeat The mouth is drawn and the mark of undeserved neglect is evident in the premature wrinkles but a certain merry pride lurks in the tilted cap and raised head A pang of pity shoots through us only to be replaced by one of keen satisfaction that he the neglected is remembered and they the aristocrats are forgotten 2 Though this great artist lived several years longer they were years of misery and he painted only one more great work The Syndics of the Cloth Hall now in the Ryks Museum in Amsterdam His great reputation suffered an almost total eclipse although to day he is probably the most popular painter that ever lived Yet he never lost his courage and as we see him in this portrait he carries his head bravely and wears his hat jauntily as if in defiance of the evils that engulfed him Heretofore we may have felt acquainted with Rembrandt the painter but now we know Rembrandt the man for just so he must have looked to his neighbors in the troublous year 1660 1 Composition EditTechnically this portrait shows Rembrandt at his best The hat a rich black and the background a warm green are smoothly painted The shadows in the face are thin warm and transparent while the lighter parts as on the cheek are laid on with a well loaded brush suggesting the texture of the flesh and made to glow with color Over a red waistcoat Rembrandt wears a heavy brownish coat 1 Provenance EditUnknown date Duc de Valentinois Paris between 15 July 1802 and 17 July 1802 anonymous sale at Lebrun Paris auction house by 1825 William Waldegrave 1st Baron Radstock 1753 1825 13 May 1826 purchased by Alexander Baring 1st Baron Ashburton 1774 1848 at the sale of the collection of William Waldegrave 1st Baron Radstock at Christie s London 1848 inherited by Bingham Baring 2nd Baron Ashburton 1799 1864 from Alexander Baring 1st Baron Ashburton 1864 inherited by Francis Baring 3rd Baron Ashburton 1800 1868 from Bingham Baring 2nd Baron Ashburton 1868 inherited by Alexander Baring 4th Baron Ashburton 1835 1889 from Francis Baring 3rd Baron Ashburton 1889 inherited by Francis Baring 5th Baron Ashburton from Alexander Baring 4th Baron Ashburton by 1908 Arthur J Sulley amp Co art dealers London 1909 1910 obtained by Charles Sedelmeyer art dealer Paris 1909 1910 purchased by Benjamin Altman 1840 1913 New York from Charles Sedelmeyer Paris 1913 bequeathed to Metropolitan Museum of Art New York by Benjamin Altman New YorkRelated self portraits by Rembrandt Edit Self portrait 1658 Frick Collection Those who happen to be familiar with the self portrait of a year or so earlier belonging to Henry C Frick will find a comparison of the moods of that picture and our work an interesting one In the portrait owned by Mr Frick though it was also painted in a troubled time he paints himself as though he were a philosopher or prophet to whom all things but his own thoughts are indifferent In the Altman picture he is prematurely aged by his troubles and is pestered with worries the little cares and anxieties of daily life His forehead is wrinkled and the mouth is drawn but the cap is tilted a little jauntily on one side and the head is erect and proud 3 Notes Edit a b c d Van Laer A T 1916 PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine 93 18 Archived from the original on 2017 02 23 Retrieved 2011 05 15 Bryant Lorinda Munson 1915 VIII What pictures to see in America John Lane p 122 Archived from the original on 2014 07 08 Retrieved 2011 05 15 Metropolitan Museum of Art 1914 Handbook of the Benjamin Altman collection The Gilliss press pp 26 Retrieved 2011 05 15 This article incorporates text fromCentury illustrated monthly magazine by A T Van Lear a publication from 1916 now in the public domain in the United States This article incorporates text fromWhat pictures to see in America by Lorinda Munson Bryant a publication from 1915 now in the public domain in the United States This article incorporates text fromHandbook of the Benjamin Altman collection by Metropolitan Museum of Art The Gilliss press a publication from 1914 now in the public domain in the United States External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Self portrait Rembrandt 1660 The Metropolitan Museum of Art Long Island University Copy at Victoria amp Albert Museum Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Self Portrait Rembrandt Altman amp oldid 1029969541, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
