Portret van Rembrandt van Rijn 1827 - 1907

This is a portrait of Rembrandt van Rijn by P.A. Vanhamme, and it's held here at the Rijksmuseum. This print gives us an insight into the reverence for the Dutch Masters, particularly during the 19th century. We can see how the image creates meaning through its visual codes. The cultural references to Rembrandt are clear - his distinctive beret, the dark, brooding tones, and the suggestion of a painterly style, even in a print. It's interesting to consider how the institutions of art - the museums, the academies - shape the production and reception of art. This portrait, in its very creation, suggests a canon of artistic achievement, with Rembrandt at its heart. To truly understand this work, we might delve into the archives of the Rijksmuseum or examine the catalogs of the art academies. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.