Self-portrait as the Apostle Paul (1661)

Dated 1661, "Self-portrait as the Apostle Paul" is an artwork by Rembrandt van Rijn. It is listed in the Figurative collection. The image is in portrait orientation. Figurative, a short history: Portraits, group scenes, studies of the nude, and pictures of daily life all belong to figurative art. Figurative art depicts people and recognisable scenes, and it has been central to European painting since antiquity. About the period around 1661: The seventeenth century is the age of the Baroque, which favoured dramatic light, movement, and strong emotion in the work of painters in Italy, Spain, and Flanders. In the Dutch Republic, a prosperous middle-class market supported landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and scenes of daily life painted at a modest scale for the home.

"Self-portrait as the Apostle Paul" is shown in the onlly.art catalogue for reference and browsing. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. Figurative works draw attention to the human presence, the gesture, and the emotional tone, so they work particularly well as a standalone focal point in living rooms, studies, and bedrooms. Browsing works by the same artist, or from the same period, is a good way to compare styles before choosing what suits your space.

Dutch, 1606–1669

If you like the visual language of Rembrandt van Rijn, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.