Rembrandt, Self-Portrait

Summary

In the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., a self-portrait by Rembrandt from 1660 is examined, revealing the artist's intimate and honest self-examination. The portrait contrasts with others in the gallery, showing a social distance and formality absent in Rembrandt's work. The piece highlights Rembrandt's masterful use of light, color, and brushwork to convey emotion and the passage of life, reflecting a vulnerable period marked by financial struggles and personal loss.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Rembrandt's 1660 self-portrait at the National Gallery of Art is incredibly present and intimate, offering a unique perspective on the artist's work.
• 👀 Rembrandt revolutionized the self-portrait by infusing it with honesty and directness, teaching viewers how to observe closely.
• 🖼️ The self-portrait contrasts with other portraits in the gallery, highlighting the social distance and formality present in commissioned works.
• 🤴 The portrait of a Young Man exemplifies the social hierarchy and formality of the time, with the subject maintaining a reserved demeanor.
• 👥 Rembrandt's self-portraits varied throughout his career, from youthful well-dressed depictions to introspective, wrinkle-laden later works.
• 🎭 In his later years, Rembrandt's self-portraits reveal a more introspective and vulnerable side, unlike the flamboyance of his earlier works.
• 🖌️ The thick application of paint on the face in the self-portrait, coupled with looser brushwork elsewhere, creates a strong sense of depth and emotion.
• 💡 Rembrandt's use of light and shadow adds emotional depth, with a more gradual transition between illumination and darkness compared to Caravaggio's stark contrasts.
• 🌈 The color palette in Rembrandt's self-portrait is rich and varied, with greens, yellows, blues, reds, browns, and grays contributing to the painting's complexity.
• 🤲 The intimacy of the self-portrait is enhanced by the visible brushstrokes, allowing viewers to almost feel Rembrandt's hand moving across the canvas.
• 🏛️ Despite personal and financial struggles, including bankruptcy and the death of his wife Saskia, Rembrandt's self-portrait captures a man who has lived richly and complexly.

Q & A

In which year was the self-portrait by Rembrandt mentioned in the script created?

The self-portrait by Rembrandt mentioned in the script was created in 1660.

Where is the self-portrait of Rembrandt from 1660 located?

The self-portrait of Rembrandt from 1660 is located in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

How did Rembrandt revolutionize the self-portrait as a subject?

Rembrandt made the self-portrait a subject in a way that it had never been before, making his images of himself intimate and carefully observed.

What is the significance of the social distance in the portrait of a Young Man mentioned in the script?

The social distance in the portrait of a Young Man signifies the social propriety and hierarchy that existed in the studio during Rembrandt's time, with the subject likely commissioning and paying Rembrandt for the portrait.

How does Rembrandt's self-portrait differ from his portraits of others in terms of physical proximity?

In Rembrandt's self-portrait, his left elbow is in the viewer's space, suggesting a lack of social distance and a more intimate connection, unlike his portraits of others where there is more foreground space and a sense of reserve.

What is the purpose of Rembrandt's self-portrait as described in the script?

The purpose of Rembrandt's self-portrait, as described in the script, seems to be to find every imperfection and wrinkle, expressing the life that the face has lived, rather than to flatter the sitter.

How did Rembrandt's self-portraits evolve throughout his career?

Rembrandt's self-portraits evolved from showing himself as a young, well-dressed man to more introspective looks later in his career, with variations including times when he was in costume or with his wife, Saskia.

What technique does Rembrandt use to create a sense of depth and emotion in his self-portrait?

Rembrandt uses thick paint on the face to create a sense of depth and emotion, while the rest of the portrait is loosely brushed, allowing the light to move across the face, picking up folds and hair.

How does the use of color in Rembrandt's self-portrait contribute to the overall effect?

The use of colors such as greens, yellows, blues, reds, browns, and grays in Rembrandt's self-portrait contributes to the overall effect by adding complexity and depth to the painting.

What is the 'double intimacy' mentioned in the script in relation to Rembrandt's self-portrait?

The 'double intimacy' refers to both Rembrandt's careful observation of his own features and the viewer's ability to feel the artist's hand moving the brush across the canvas, creating a connection between the artist, the subject, and the viewer.

What personal challenges was Rembrandt facing during the creation of this self-portrait?

During the creation of this self-portrait, Rembrandt was facing financial difficulties, having declared bankruptcy, and personal loss, with the death of his wife, Saskia.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Rembrandt's Self-Portrait Intimacy and Technique

The paragraph introduces a self-portrait by Rembrandt from 1660, displayed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. It emphasizes the intimate and honest portrayal of the artist, which is a departure from traditional self-portraits of the time. The voiceover describes the self-portrait as a teaching tool for close observation, contrasting it with other portraits in the gallery that depict social distance and hierarchy. The paragraph also discusses the evolution of Rembrandt's self-portraits, from youthful and well-dressed to introspective and revealing of life's imperfections. The artist's technique is highlighted, particularly the thick application of paint on the face and the use of light and shadow to convey emotion. The paragraph concludes with a reflection on the emotional depth of the portrait, suggesting that it captures a vulnerable moment in Rembrandt's life, marked by financial troubles and personal loss.

Keywords

💡Rembrandt

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, commonly known as Rembrandt, was a Dutch painter and etcher who is considered one of the greatest visual artists in the history of art. In the video, Rembrandt is the central figure, with a focus on his self-portraits and how he revolutionized the genre by introducing a level of intimacy and introspection not seen before. The script mentions a self-portrait from 1660, showcasing his ability to capture the essence of his own life and experiences.

💡Self-portrait

A self-portrait is a work of art that depicts the artist themselves. In the context of the video, Rembrandt's self-portraits are highlighted for their intimate and honest depiction of the artist. The script describes how Rembrandt's self-portraits differ from traditional portraits, where he does not shy away from showing his own imperfections and the effects of aging, thus creating a deep connection with the viewer.

💡Intimacy

Intimacy in art refers to the closeness or personal connection that an artist establishes with the viewer through their work. The video discusses how Rembrandt's self-portraits are intimate, not only because of his careful observation of his own features but also because the viewer can feel the artist's hand moving the brush across the canvas. This creates a 'double intimacy' that allows viewers to connect with Rembrandt on a personal level.

💡Portrait-painting

Portrait-painting is the genre of painting that focuses on depicting a person's likeness. The script contrasts Rembrandt's self-portraits with his commissioned portraits, where the latter often involved a social distance and a need to flatter the subject. Rembrandt's self-portraits, on the other hand, are more candid and reveal a deeper, more personal side of the artist.

💡Honesty and directness

Honesty and directness in art refer to the truthful and straightforward representation of the subject without embellishment or idealization. The video emphasizes how Rembrandt's self-portraits are honest and direct, showing every wrinkle and imperfection, which is a stark contrast to the more polished and flattering portraits of his time.

💡Caravaggesque

Caravaggesque refers to the style of painting associated with the Italian artist Caravaggio, known for its dramatic use of light and shadow. The script mentions this style in relation to Rembrandt's work, noting how he used lighting to add emotional depth to his portraits, moving away from the stark contrasts of light and shadow to a more nuanced and emotive approach.

💡Dramatic lighting

Dramatic lighting is a technique used in visual arts to create a strong contrast between light and dark areas, often used to emphasize certain features or evoke specific emotions. The video describes how Rembrandt's use of lighting in his self-portraits is more fluid and less defined than the Caravaggesque style, contributing to the emotional expressiveness of the work.

💡Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a legal status that occurs when a person or business is unable to repay their outstanding debts. In the script, Rembrandt's financial struggles and eventual bankruptcy are mentioned as a vulnerable moment in his career. This context provides a backdrop to the introspective and emotionally charged nature of his later self-portraits.

💡Saskia

Saskia van Uylenburgh was Rembrandt's wife, and her presence in his life and art is significant. The script briefly mentions her death, suggesting that personal loss and the complexities of life's experiences are reflected in Rembrandt's self-portraits, adding depth and emotional resonance to his work.

💡Brushstrokes

Brushstrokes are the marks made by an artist using a brush. The video discusses how Rembrandt's brushstrokes in his self-portraits are particularly expressive, with detailed work on the face and more loose brushwork elsewhere. This technique helps to highlight the features and emotions of the subject, creating a sense of movement and life in the painting.

Highlights

Rembrandt's self-portrait from 1660 is incredibly present, creating an intimate connection with the viewer.

The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. houses this remarkable self-portrait.

Rembrandt revolutionized the self-portrait genre with his intimate and carefully observed images.

His self-portraits teach us to look closely and honestly at ourselves, as he did in his mirror.

The social distance in Rembrandt's studio is palpable in the portrait of a Young Man, contrasting with the self-portrait's intimacy.

Rembrandt's self-portraits show a range from youthful exuberance to introspective older age.

The self-portrait from 1660 reveals Rembrandt's focus on capturing every imperfection and wrinkle.

Rembrandt's use of thick paint on the face contrasts with the loosely brushed background.

The subtle shifts in facial muscles and architecture are masterfully depicted through Rembrandt's brush strokes.

Rembrandt's self-portraits evolved from showing himself well-dressed to a more introspective look in later years.

The thick application of paint in the face area of the self-portrait conveys a sense of depth and emotion.

Rembrandt's use of dramatic lighting adds to the emotional impact of the self-portrait.

The coloration in the self-portrait is rich and varied, with greens, yellows, blues, reds, browns, and grays.

The intimacy of the self-portrait is enhanced by the viewer's sense of Rembrandt's hand moving the brush.

Rembrandt's career experienced a vulnerable moment, with financial struggles and personal loss.

The self-portrait does not solely reflect Rembrandt's biographical pain but his complex and rich life experiences.

Rembrandt's self-portrait at 53 captures the wisdom and experiences of a man who has lived fully.

Transcripts

(piano music)

Voiceover: Rembrandt is in this room with us.

I'm looking at him, he's looking at me.

Voiceover: He's incredibly present

in this self-portrait from 1660.

We're here in the National Gallery of Art

in Washington, D.C.

Voiceover: Rembrandt made the self-portrait

a subject in a way that it had never been.

His images of himself are so intimate,

they are so carefully observed.

In a sense, he teaches me how to look closely.

Voiceover: And how even to look at onself

with an honesty and directness that he

is looking at himself with in a mirror.

Voiceover: We're in a room filled with Rembrandts,

and if you look at the other portraits,

for instance, look at the portrait of a Young Man,

you get a sense of the social distance that would have

existed in the studio when Rembrandt was painting,

and this man sat with a kind of reserve,

and there was a social propriety.

Voiceover: The young man that we see here

likely commissioned the portrait and was

paying Rembrandt to make something for him,

so there was definitely a heirarchy there.

And he's distanced, too.

There's all this foreground space in front

of the figure that is absent here.

His left elbow is in our space.

Voiceover: Maybe it's because Rembrandt

doesn't need to flatter this sitter and in fact,

his purpose seems to be just the opposite,

to find every imperfection, every wrinkle.

It expresses the life that this face has lived.

But Rembrandt's self-portraits through

his career were really of different types.

There were the examples where he's

showing himself as a young man, very well dressed.

There are times when he's in costume

with Saskia, his wife, on his knee,

but then later in self-portraits like this,

you really see this introspective look.

Voiceover: And you feel the way that Rembrandt

layered this thick paint on the face,

and the rest is very loosely brushed,

but the face has like a sense of being really worked,

the light moving across it from light to dark,

and light again, and then picking up folds

and picking up the hair on his face.

Voiceover: But it's also the muscles and the changes,

the subtle shifts in the architecture of that face

that is being brought out by those brush strokes.

I want to figure out how he's done it.

Voiceover: If you think about the Caravaggesque

use of dramatic lighting, so you go from

an area of stark illumination to an area of shadow,

usually that area is demarcated in a very clear way.

Here in Rembrandt, there's a movement in and out

of light that I think adds to that emotion.

Voiceover: And look at the coloration as well.

I'm seeing greens and yellows, and blues,

and reds, and browns... Voiceover: And grays...

Voiceover: So the intimacy is two parts.

It's because of Rembrandt's own careful

observation about what's he's seeing,

but it's also about the fact that we can feel

his hand moving the brush across the surface,

and so there's a kind of double intimacy.

Voiceover: Well, we do know that this was especially

a vulnerable moment in Rembrandt's career.

He had been a very famous, sought-after

portrait-painter in Amsterdam,

but had reached too far financially,

he had gone into debt and just a year or two

before this painting, he had declared bankruptcy

and had to sell his assets to pay his creditors.

Voiceover: His wife that he loved very much,

Saskia, had died, but I think that you can

step into the biographical a little too much

and weave this painting through

the pain of those experiences.

Clearly, this is a man who has lived

a very complex and rich life.

Voiceover: As people do (laughs) by the time

they reach the age that Rembrandt has,

so we really don't need to read the biography

to know that by the time you reach 53,

that one is wiser, one has experienced,

one has lived through the death of loved ones.

That's what life is.

Voiceover: And that's what Rembrandt

has taken as his subject here.

(piano music)