Rembrandt. The Complete Self-Portraits

Few can rival Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn's pioneering approach to self-portraiture, a genre he revolutionized by challenging the norms established by his predecessors. Rather than simply capturing one's image adorned in lavish attire, Rembrandt elevated the medium to convey profound emotional depth. His extensive body of work, comprising more than 80 pieces including paintings, etchings, and drawings, serves as a testament to his lifelong commitment to preserving transient moments. Over four decades, Rembrandt consistently focused on depicting himself from diverse angles, embracing the complexity of human identity and advocating for the raw portrayal of emotions. Beyond the thematic elements evident in Rembrandt's self-portraits, these works showcase his remarkable technical creativity and experimental spirit. There is a palpable sense of humanity throughout his oeuvre, with each expressive brushstroke and deliberately obscured detail capturing a candid self-reflection that reveals his vulnerabilities, shifting moods, and various stages in life. This monograph gathers all of Rembrandt's self-portraits—from his early attempts at age twenty-two to his final work completed a year before his passing—offering a compelling portrayal of a life dedicated to reshaping artistic practice, both in subject matter and execution.