Self-portrait as the Apostle Paul

Artist
Rembrandt van Rijn
Year
1661
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
height 91 cm x width 77 cm

In this late self-portrait, Rembrandt depicts himself as the Apostle Paul, wrapped in a rich golden cloak and turban. The painting merges the artist’s aging features with the biblical figure, creating a meditation on faith, suffering, and artistic identity. The dramatic chiaroscuro and thick impasto brushwork exemplify Rembrandt’s mature style.