Copper Plate: Self-Portrait in a Flat Cap and Embroidered Dress c. 1642

Curator: How immediate! The copper plate glows warmly; the hatch marks suggest volume. Editor: Indeed. We are looking at Rembrandt van Rijn's "Copper Plate: Self-Portrait in a Flat Cap and Embroidered Dress," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Curator: Notice how the lines define the planes of his face and the texture of the fabric; it's an exquisite study in light and shadow. Editor: Self-portraits were a vital part of artistic identity for Rembrandt. This work is interesting because it invites viewers to engage with the artist as a constructed persona. Curator: The density of the cross-hatching certainly indicates a construction, a deliberate arrangement of marks to conjure form. Editor: It underscores how Rembrandt shaped his image. He wasn't merely depicting himself; he performed a role within the social theater of art. Curator: A powerful performance, delivered through line and form. Editor: Yes, and a revealing peek into the social currency of self-representation.