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 Rembrandt assumes for the first time, the role of a well-known historical figure. A sword projects from his doublet and he is holding a unrolled manuscript. Both objects are attributes of the apostle Paul. The sword refers to Paul's martyrdom, he was beheaded. The Hebrew looking letters on the manuscript have been read as EFESIS, (Ephesus). On his head Rembrandt is wearing a turban undoubtedly an allusion to the Middle East of the Bible and not his familiar painter's cap. |
