A Scholar (1631) by Rembrandt van Rijn

A Scholar - Rembrandt van Rijn - 1631

Artwork Information

TitleA Scholar
ArtistRembrandt van Rijn
Date1631
MediumOil on Canvas
Dimensions41 x 36" (104.5 x 92 cm)
Current LocationHermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia

About A Scholar

In 1631, the renowned artist, Rembrandt Van Rijn, moved to Amsterdam and experienced significant success creating personal portraits. At this stage in his career, he primarily painted portraits and produced a substantial number of them in Uylenburgh’s workshop from 1631 to 1635. Throughout his long career as an artist, teacher, and art dealer during the Dutch Golden Age, he explored a range of genres but remained dedicated to self-portraits.

Rembrandt was one of the most versatile artists of the 17th century and created some 300 etchings and drypoints from about 1626 to 1665. He often used traditional materials unconventionally, demonstrating great mastery as a painter of light and figures in works such as The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp. The painting shows him at his best using his skills to depict the human form accurately while still imbuing it with luminosity.

Old Man with a Gold Chain is another early example that exemplifies Rembrandt’s preoccupation with subjects such as portraiture that spanned several decades. It is believed that Painted around or shortly after he moved to Amsterdam in c.1628-9; it depicts an older man leaning forward slightly but also has detours into historical subjects like Night Watch or The Syndics showing that throughout his long career he experimented within many subjects themes resulting in an extensive catalog from which successive generations have learned much about life during this period through their imagery.

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