The self-portrait for Rembrandt is a perpetual journey. The master of chiaroscuro painted, drawn or engraved his face more than 80 times during his career. The painting put on sale at Sotheby's Tuesday evening is one of his many masterpieces. This is one of the last Rembrandt paintings left in private hands, according to the auction house.
The 15 cm by 20 cm painting, signed and dated 1632 by the great Flemish master, represents him at the age of 26 in ceremonial dress, dressed in black with a felt hat and a large white lace ruff .
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The painting was not authenticated until 1996, after an analysis showed that it had been made on the same oak wood as the support of a portrait made by Rembrandt of his friend Maurits Huygens.
A painter represented to his advantage
According to George Gordon of Sotheby's, the formal attire, unusual among the artist's dozens of self-portraits, suggests that he may have wanted to show himself in his best light as he courted the one who would become his muse and his wife, Saskia van Uylenburgh, in order to convince his parents that he was a good match. Produced just after moving to Amsterdam, the painting could also serve as a calling card and show potential clients the painter's flourishing situation. According to George Gordon, it was completed in a very short time, as the background had not yet finished drying when the artist put his signature.
With a calendar turned upside down by the pandemic of the new coronavirus, Sotheby's has decided to hold a single evening sale bringing together more than 500 pieces from all eras, from old masters to contemporary ones. Among them, La Branche de gui by Chagall or the Dancer in an interior, green and black tiles by Matisse. The Rembrandt will be well surrounded during this exceptional evening.
More information on the sale: https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2020/evening-sale-london/rembrandt-harmensz-van-rijn-self-portrait-of-the?locale= Fr