Rembrandt van Rijn

Rembrandt’s early self-portraits focused on technique—the rendering of light and facial expression. As he aged, the artist became more concerned with his own identity, using fantasy to explore his individuality. He often represented himself in period clothing from the previous century or vaguely ancient garb, and sometimes in clothing associated with Asia. Made in Rembrandt’s early 30s, the two versions of Self-Portrait in a Velvet Cap with Plume show him dressed in an entirely imaginary costume.