There are only a few people in history so famous that they’re known only by their first names. Rembrandt is one of them. His full name, in case anyone ever asks you, was Rembrandt Harmenz van Rijn.
Rembrandt lived in The Netherlands over 300 years ago. He is famous for paintings and prints and drawings. And one thing he loved to draw was himself. He made many self-portraits all through his life, from when he was young to when he was an old, old man. This self-portrait shows the young Rembrandt in 1628 when he was 22 years old.
Around this time, Rembrandt drew a series of pictures of himself as he made faces in a mirror. He did this to learn how to show different expressions in his artwork. The pictures show Rembrandt looking shocked, angry, afraid and worried.
This painting shows a laughing Rembrandt, as if you just fooled him with a good joke.
A Self Portrait is a picture that an artist makes of their own face. It can be a drawing, a painting, a photograph or even a sculpture. Sometimes a self portrait shows something other than the artist’s face…like hands or a close up of an eye or even objects that the artist feels are important in their life.
Young artists can practice expressions the same way, and create a very interesting self portrait. Just stand in front of a mirror with paper and pencil. Make a face, and draw what you see. Look suprised, or really angry, or frightened, or laughing like Rembrandt in 1628. How do your eyebrows change with different faces? What happens to your mouth? Do your eyes squint shut or open wide? Draw it. Maybe you’ll want to do this creative expression drawing in the bathroom with the door shut so your big brother doesn’t come up behind you, tap you on the shoulder, and say…”What the heck are you doing?!”