Self-portrait as the Apostle Paul, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1661

Self-portrait as the Apostle Paul, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1661

oil on canvas, h 91cm × w 77cm More details

Rembrandt is 55 years old in this self-portrait, and he still looks at himself candidly. Here he assumes the guise of a personage from the Bible, the Apostle Paul. The sword protruding from his cloak and the manuscript in his hands are the apostle’s customary attributes. By using his own face, Rembrandt encouraged the viewer to engage personally with the saint.

On display in Gallery of Honour Visit via the Rembrandt tour Visit via the Highlights Gallery of Honour tour

Listen to audio fragment (from the multimedia tour)

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