This is one of the first works in which Rembrandt portrayed himself - he was then about 22 years old. The light is strong and comes from behind. The sitter's face is in shadow and is difficult to distinguish. An interesting departure is the experimental manner in which the hair is rendered: Rembrandt made scratches in the wet paint, allowing the under coat to show through. Purchased in 1977 from D.H. Cevat (Guernsey), with the support of the Vereniging Rembrandt, the Prins Bernhard Fonds, the State, and the Fotocommissie.
