Rembrandt in Brighton  Summer 2024

Rembrandt van Rijn

In this self portrait, the artist Rembrandt presents himself dressed in fur and velvet, and wearing a hat laced with jewels. These expensive clothes indicate his success. Appearing wealthy and self-assured, he makes direct eye contact with the viewer. By placing his arm over a wall, Rembrandt creates the illusion of entering our time and space.

Born in Leiden in the Netherlands, Rembrandt moved to Amsterdam in around 1631, where he became a successful painter. Throughout his life, he produced dozens of self portraits to demonstrate his skill and to attract commissions.

Although painted in the 1640s, Rembrandt is dressed up like a gentleman from one hundred years earlier. He is using the clothing, composition, colours and poses of the earlier great artists Titian, Raphael and Dürer. He is making a point.

With this self portrait Rembrandt is saying "Look at me! I am as good an artist as them; maybe even better!"

Welcome

Brighton Museum is delighted to be showing this world-renowned painting by the Dutch Old Master Rembrandt van Rijn.

Self Portrait at the Age of 34, 1640, is on display as part of the National Gallery's bicentenary National Treasures tour.

The National Gallery's 200th birthday celebration involves twelve simultaneous exhibitions at twelve cultural organisations across the UK. More than half the UK population will be within an hour's journey of a National Gallery masterpiece.

Rembrandt's exquisite self portrait is a masterclass in artistic time travel. He plays with ideas and themes from the past to create an image of himself for the future.