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 Judging by the style in which it was painted, this self portrait was painted in 1630 or 1631. This painting could be classified as a transitional work. Rembrandt has used his own face to experiment with the play of light but in contrast to earlier pieces he has taken pains to depict himself recognizably.
From an inventory of the Royal Family done around 1639, we know that Charles I owned this picture titled: "being his owne picture & done by himself in a Black capp and furrd habbitt with a little goulden chaine uppon both his Shouldrs In an Ovall and square black frame". After Charles' beheading the picture has auctioned to Major Bass. It was not until 1935 that the self portrait was identified based on the description and dimensions found in the inventory records. |
