Self-portrait with Saskia, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1636

Self-portrait with Saskia, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1636

etching, h 104mm × w 94mm More details

In his early self-portraits, Rembrandt often practises rendering light or emotions. By contrast, these later ones are more narrative, because he dresses up in imaginary costumes (e.g. complete with an Oriental sword) or in 16th-century attire. With the latter variant, he aligns himself with celebrated 16th-century artists, such as Lucas van Leyden, Titian or Raphael.