Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, usually simply known as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman. As well as many famous paintings he is associated with, he was also known for frequent self-portraits, showing the changes in his face as he aged.
As I am someone who admires a skill for detail, I have chosen the self-portrait from when he was 51 years old, in 1657. Every tiny detail is present, from the blemishes on his skin, to the individual wisps of hair on his head. Note also the creases in his coat, and the texture of his (probably velvet) hat.
Considering he had to do this by looking in a mirror, I think it is so much more than a 17th century ‘selfie’.
beetleypete 
he clearly painted it as he saw it
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Yes, no attempt at self-flattery.
Best wishes, Pete.
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When I look at this incredible art, painted ‘forever’ ago, I think of the paints and tools he had. Rembrandt’s self portrait when he was in his 20’s was stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Fortunately I saw that masterpiece before the heist. Thank you for sharing this painting, Pete.
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I’m sure such artists were born with that talent. I doubt it could ever be learned.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I think you are right, Pete. Best to you.
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I think back then self portraits were often a way to paint and practice without the expense, bother, availability and scheduling hassles of a model. Not to mention the whispering gossip.
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Also a way to record a life without the benefit of photography. Quite a lot of artists did something similar.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I know he did several self-portraits; I think I saw one of them in Washington DC. This one looks very honest to me, not ‘air-brushed’ the way we might want to improve our own appearance in a modern-day selfie.
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Yes, he made no effort to make himself look like anything other than what he was.
Best wishes, Pete.
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But he doesn’t look happy. Warmest regards, Ed
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He was often penniless during his lifetime, and constantly in debt. There is a good film about his life starring Charles Laughton.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rembrandt_(1936_film)
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks, Warmest regards, Ed
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I’m not a huge fan of Rembrandt, but I do admire his talent in terms of contrasting light and dark, as well as his devotion to detail.
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I like a lot of his paintings, but think they have to be seen in a gallery as they are more impressive on the canvas.
Best wishes, Pete.
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He was quite ruthless, no smoothing filter here! 🙂
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He certainly didn’t flatter himself.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Unlike modern times, any blemishes were included which makes the face human. I agree that the hat was probably velvet. To portray the texture as well as the folds is astonishing. I wonder if he ever imagined people looking at his face hundreds of years on!
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Yes, like the famous painting of Oliver Cromwell, “Warts and all”. These days it might be photoshopped.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Might be?
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This is a great picture. As you know, I also like detail
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Pleased you enjoyed this one, Robbie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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The detail truly is amazing; although, if he copied the image from a mirror, it wasn’t a true likeness! It would have been horizontally reversed, and our faces aren’t symmetrical, so he would have looked slightly different to other people. I’d never really thought about this until it featured on QI recently 😀 Cheers, Jon.
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That’s true, Jon, though I can’t imagine how else he could have got such details without using a mirror. Either way, it is a sign of remarkable talent.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I couldn’t even imagine having this kind of talent!
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It is almost spooky how they can be so accurate with paint.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Amazing! Every wrinkle and pore!
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Just as detailed as a modern-day photo-portrait. I will never understand how they managed such accuracy.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I know! He must have had a really good mirror.
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I noticed the texture of the velvet hat in particular.
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How they achieve that always amazes me, Liz.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I know! My first thought is always, How did they DO that?!
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What a talent…..heads above my stick man paintings chuq
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I think they must be born with that skill, chuq.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Must be true…my daughter is an excellent artist I am not……chuq
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This is a good self portrait. I too believe his hat is velvet.
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I really admire the way they could paint a ‘texture’ for us to recognise.
Best wishes, Pete.
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