Self-portrait with Bittern (1639) by Rembrandt

Self-portrait with Bittern - Rembrandt - 1639

Artwork Information

TitleSelf-portrait with Bittern
ArtistRembrandt
Date1639
Mediumoil,board
Dimensions89 x 121 cm
Art MovementBaroque

About Self-portrait with Bittern

The artwork titled “Self-portrait with Bittern” is a baroque oil painting on board executed by the artist Rembrandt in 1639. It measures 89 x 121 centimeters and falls within the genre of self-portrait. The baroque period to which the painting belongs was known for its emphasis on bold, dramatic elements and strong contrasts of light and shadow.

In this self-portrait, Rembrandt depicts himself in a dramatic and engaging manner, as was typical for portraits of the Baroque era. He stands before the viewer with a confident gaze, holding a bittern, a type of wading bird, by its legs with the bird’s body prominently featured and the wings spread wide, adding to the visual impact of the composition. Rembrandt’s attire and the obscure, shadowy background further amplify the sense of depth and bring focus to his expression and the textural details of the bird’s feathers. The painting is characterized by a rich interplay of light and dark, known as chiaroscuro, which was a hallmark of Rembrandt’s work and contributed to the expressive quality of his art.

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