Rembrandt "Self-Portrait"

From: The Art Institute of Chicago
Limited Edition: 25
Exhibition: Rembrandt’s Journey: Painter, Draftsman, Etcher
Material: Printed vinyl
Dimensions: 30" x 98" (76 cm x 248 cm)

Hanging Hardware Included

Summary

Among the Dutch Masters, Rembrandt reigns supreme. And among Rembrandt's many works in many media - etching, drawing, painting - his self-portraits reign supreme. Following his own vision and style, Rembrandt often turned his artistic eye on himself, creating self-portraits that are honest and insightful. On these banners from the Art Institute of Chicago, rich hues and Rembrandt's trademark interplay of light and dark show his well-known face to great effect.

Description

Dutch master, Rembrandt van Rijn, chronicled his life through his self-portraiture. From his early self-portraits as an emerging artist to his mid-career works showing a successful artist to his later works which accurately captured his aged face and body, his self-portraits were always direct and brutally honest.

While his professional career blossomed as the go-to painter for portraits of guilds, tradesmen, and wealthy businessmen, his personal life was filled with sorrow. He and his wife Saskia lost three children in infancy. A fourth child, their son Titus, lived into adulthood, but Saskia passed away just one year after his birth. Rembrandt shared his life with his former young maid, Heindrickje Stoffels, who he outlived by six years. She became a muse and an inspiration to Rembrandt. Having had a lucrative career, Rembrandt lived beyond his means when commissions had slowed. His unwise spending habits and investments proved his financial downfall. Although he was successful in his career as an artist, teacher, and art dealer, his lack of thrift finally drove him to declare bankruptcy in 1656. The bulk of his estate was auctioned off, including his art collection and his house, and went to pay off the huge debts he had built up.

A detail of this self-portrait from 1659 is enlarged on this banner promoting The Art Institute of Chicago exhibition Rembrandt’s Journey. The painting epitomizes Rembrandt’s portraiture, as he depicts himself unreservedly with deep furrowed brow, deep wrinkles under his eyes, and a somewhat sallowed complexion. Along the side of the banner, white text states the name of the museum, and at the bottom, the exhibition ending date, May 9, 2004. The other side of the banner is dark green with white text that reads “Rembrandt’s Journey” and “Painter”, “Draftsman”, “Etcher”.

The painting on the banner is owned by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. and the banner is offered for sale through BetterWall with the express permission of the museum. The banner is sold in an unnumbered edition due to the National Gallery’s policy on the sale of limited edition reproductions.

Provenance

These banners were displayed around Chicago from February 14 through May 9, 2004 to promote the exhibition Rembrandt’s Journey exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago. The exhibition was co-organized by the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Fine Art, Boston.

About the Artist

Learn more about Rembrandt