Self-portrait with Gorget and Beret 1629

Rembrandt van Rijn made this self-portrait, using oil on canvas, likely sometime in the mid-17th century. What strikes me most about this work is Rembrandt’s embrace of traditional painting techniques to convey a sense of depth and texture. Notice the impasto—thick layers of paint—especially in the gorget, the piece of armor around his neck. The way he layers these strokes creates a tactile quality, almost like you could reach out and feel the cool smoothness of the metal. Consider how the application of the paint contributes to the overall effect, building up highlights and shadows to give the portrait a sense of volume. The use of a beret and gorget situates the artist within a specific social context. The gorget, being a component of armor, suggests a connection to military or civic guard imagery, and the beret was an artistic choice, a conscious decision to align himself with a certain tradition of portraiture. Ultimately, this portrait reminds us that even in the realm of fine art, the act of making—the handling of materials, the choice of techniques—plays a crucial role in shaping meaning and connecting the artist to broader social and cultural currents.