Feel the Darkness

Rembrandt van Rijn was a master of chiaroscuro. He was renowned for the dramatic play of light on the subjects of his paintings and drawings. His dark paintings, including many self-portraits, revealed a masterful appreciation of light and shade.

Self-Portrait by Rembrandt

Rembrandt is considered one of the greatest artists of all time, for several reasons:

1. Mastery of Technique: Rembrandt was a master of various techniques, such as chiaroscuro (use of light and shadow), impasto (thick application of paint), and glazing (application of transparent layers of paint). He had a unique ability to capture emotion and expressiveness in his subjects, and his use of light and shadow was particularly innovative.

2. Prolific Output: Rembrandt was incredibly prolific, creating over 600 paintings, 400 etchings, and 2,000 drawings during his lifetime. He was able to consistently produce high-quality work over a long period, which is a testament to his talent and dedication.

3. Innovative Style: Rembrandt's style was groundbreaking for his time, and he is considered a key figure in the Dutch Golden Age of painting. He pushed the boundaries of traditional techniques and subject matter, and his paintings often had a raw, emotional quality that was unlike anything that had been seen before.

4. Influence: Rembrandt's work has had a lasting influence on the art world. Many artists who came after him were inspired by his techniques and style, and his legacy continues to be felt today.

The self-Portrait is a 1660 oil on canvas painting by the Dutch artist Rembrandt, one of over 40 self-portraits by Rembrandt. Well, clearly I can see that this guy was self-obsessed.

The Altman portrait is dated 1660 when he was fifty-four years old. This was a year of anxiety for him. He had just been declared bankrupt. He saw his collection of art treasures disposed of at auction and himself deserted by his pupils and his friends, with no studio of his own in which to set up his easel. In this portrait, we have a work of mature years, when he brought all the skill and resources of a lifetime to its creation.

"I envy the poet. He is encouraged toward drunkenness and wallows with nubile wenches while the painter must endure wretchedness and pain for his art." ― Rembrandt van Rijn

[Below] I was extremely overwhelmed to witness this original painting by Rembrandt himself. This painting was placed at the New York Metropolitan art museum.

“Practise what you know, and it will help to make clear what now you do not know.” ― Rembrandt Van Rijn

My obsession led to me recreating this self-portrait of Rembrandt, as a part of my practice sessions. Yes, I painted this.

Let me know what you think...