A delightful self-portrait, Rembrandt Rembrandt in Velvet Cap with Plume, 1638 depicts himself with a fanciful cap and commanding presence. Formally displayed in three quarter-profile, Rembrandt presents himself with importance and confidence, surmounted by his piercing gaze. In portraying himself in high-esteem, Rembrandt recognizes his significant role as an artist, as Rembrandt scholar, Stephanie Dickey presents her book Portraits in Print:

In 1638, Rembrandt again etched himself wearing a feathered velvet beret, but replaced his casual shirt and jacket with more clearly anachronistic dress. His wild, wiry hair and frowning gaze convey an electric creative energy. More than on author has associated this self-portrait with an engraving of the sixteen-century painter Jan Gossaert. This connection reveals Rembrandt’s consciousness of his participation in a historical continuum of renowned artists and in the community of art lovers who cultivated an appreciation for their works.

Created in 1638, this etching is signed and dated in the plate ‘Rembrandt f 1638’in the upper left of the image. This work is a New Hollstein Dutch State IV (of IV) impression, Nowell-Usticke State III (of III), Biörklund State IiI (of III), Hind State I (of I), White & Boon I (of I).

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Rembrandt Rembrandt in Velvet Cap with Plume, 1638 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices accompanying the final sale of the work):

1. Bartsch. The Illustrated Bartsch Vol. 50.  Edited by Stephanie S. Dickey.  New York: Abaris Books, 1981.Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 20 (another example illustrated).

2. Biörklund, George. Rembrandt’s Etchings: True and False, Stockholm: George Biörklund, 1968. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. BB 38-B

3. Dickey, Stephanie . Rembrandt Portraits in Print Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 2004. Listed and illustrated as fig. 38 and detailed on page 28

4. Hind, Arthur. A Catalogue of Rembrandt’s Etchings. New York: Da Capo Press, 1967. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 156.

5. Hinterding, Erik and Rutgers, Jaco. The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engraving and Woodcuts, 1450-1700: Rembrandt Text II 1636-1665 nos. 156-314. Edited by Ger Luijten. Amsterdam: Sound and Vision Publishers, 2013. Listed as catalogue raisonné no. 170

6. Hinterding, Erik and Rutgers, Jaco. The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engraving and Woodcuts, 1450-1700: Rembrandt Plates II 1635-1648 nos. 139-246. Edited by Ger Luijten. Amsterdam: Sound and Vision Publishers, 2013. Illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 170.

7. Mϋnz, Ludwig. Rembrandt’s Etchings: Reproductions of the Whole Original Etched Work, Vol. 1. London: Phaidon Press, 1952.  Listed as catalogue raisonné. no.22.

8. Mϋnz, Ludwig. Rembrandt’s Etchings: Reproductions of the Whole Original Etched Work, Vol.2. London: Phaidon Press, 1952. Listed as catalogue raisonné no. 22.

9. Nowell-Eusticke, G.W. Rembrandt’s Etchings. New York: Hacker Art Books, Inc., 1988. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. B 20.

10. White, Christopher and Boon, Karel. Rembrandt’s Etchings, Vol. 1, Amsterdam: Van Gendt & Co.,1969. Listed catalogue raisonné no.  B 20.

11. White, Christopher and Boon, Karel. Rembrandt’s Etchings, Vol. 2, Amsterdam: Van Gendt & Co.,1969. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. B 20.

12. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

About the Framing:

Rembrandt Rembrandt in Velvet Cap with Plume, 1638 is framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, presented in a complementary moulding and finished with linen-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.