The artwork entitled “Self-portrait” was created by the esteemed artist Rembrandt around the year 1640. This significant work, which reflects the Baroque and Tenebrism art movements, measures 63 by 50 centimeters and falls under the genre of self-portrait. The painting is part of the collection at the Norton Simon Museum, located in Pasadena, California, United States.
In the artwork, Rembrandt presents himself with a direct and penetrating gaze, engaging the viewer with a sense of immediacy and intimacy. His visage is illuminated, highlighting the fine details of his face and the texture of his skin, juxtaposed against a darker, indistinct background—a hallmark of the tenebrism technique. Rembrandt wears a dark cap and attire adorned with delicate, intricate embellishments that suggest the stature of a person of importance or artistic proficiency. The overall mastery of chiaroscuro, the subtle gradations of light and shadow, and the keen depiction of the artist’s psychological presence exemplify Rembrandt’s skills and contribute to the work’s enduring significance in art history.