Rembrandt made a remarkable number of self-portraits if I remember correctly. Presumably he liked what he saw or it was a case of striving for perfection. Or perhaps just recording his changing characteristics. Qui sait?
There .... nothing changes ..... people have always been obsessed with the way they look, even in the 17th century. He didn't hide his imperfections though like most on Facebook !!! Good for you RH. I am always amazed at the photographic quality of a beautifully painted portrait. XXXX
In the mid-60's I managed a West End gallery. We had quite a few small 'later state' Rembrandt etchings. Their value depends on which 'state' they are. If they are a first pressing, they are worth quite a bit, but as they were re-worked and re-worked the later pressings are worth almost nothing. If he still has it, cross your fingers that it's an early state.
I bet he wouldn't have used Photoshop even if it had been available! I always feel that he seemed comfortable in his own skin and actually preferred interesting faces to "beautiful" ones.
I expect most painted self-portraits are reasonably honest; mine have always been so. I don't think trying to make oneself more attractive began until Photoshop appeared.
It's like "Really? How did I get so old? I don't feel this old. I can't be this old." The same conversation I have with myself every morning when I look in the mirror.
Lighten up
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I haven’t seen *Islwyn *to ask about the watering can.
The village social media is full of it.
I was in college all day yesterday.
We finished PD group afte...
BAD LUCK COMES IN THREES !!! ..........
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*They say that bad things come in threes .....*
*First I found a dead one of these little creatures floating in our water
butt ..... we seem to have lo...
1 week ago
Optimistic Cro!
The difference between an optimist and a pessimist, is that the optimist enjoys himself whilst waiting for the inevitable! I AM that optimist!
This is a daily, optimistic, 'photos and comments' blog. I make no judgements (only occasionally), just notes. If you wish to comment in any way at all, please feel free. Everything and everyone (except the obdurate and dictatorial) is very welcome.
I was born just south of London, but for the past 50 years I've lived in S W France. I am a painter by profession, and writer by desire. Lady Magnon and I live between an ancient cottage in a tiny village in perfectly tranquil French countryside, and a bijou townhouse in Brighton UK. In France we have plenty of fruit trees, all situated amongst a view that takes the breath away, in the UK we have a handkerchief sized patio. We also have a Border Collie called Billy. I try to treat our planet with respect, and encourage others to do likewise (without preaching).
Contentment is a glass of red, a plate of charcuterie, and a slice of good country bread. Perfect!
Here we have the first known selfie obsessed
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same.
DeleteThe nose is slightly more bulbous and the hairstyle and hat are wrong, but other than that he looks remarkably like our plumber, Steve Rembrandt.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness he's a Plumber and not a Painter.
DeleteNext time I see him I'll try to take a photograph; the resemblance is very strong.
DeleteI like how he managed to bring out the expression on his face; he doesn't look very impressed himself.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Maria x
He was a 'warts-n-all' painter, and he probably didn't much like what he saw.
Delete...of himself.
DeleteX
Exactly.
DeleteRembrandt made a remarkable number of self-portraits if I remember correctly. Presumably he liked what he saw or it was a case of striving for perfection. Or perhaps just recording his changing characteristics. Qui sait?
ReplyDeleteI think he simply wanted to record the ageing process.
DeleteThere .... nothing changes ..... people have always been obsessed with the way they look, even in the 17th century. He didn't hide his imperfections though like most on Facebook !!! Good for you RH. I am always amazed at the photographic quality of a beautifully painted portrait. XXXX
ReplyDeleteI thought this particular S/P was one of his best.
DeleteMy step father had one of his etchings. He acquired it after buying a job lot of pictures so that he could use the glass to build a greenhouse.
ReplyDeleteIn the mid-60's I managed a West End gallery. We had quite a few small 'later state' Rembrandt etchings. Their value depends on which 'state' they are. If they are a first pressing, they are worth quite a bit, but as they were re-worked and re-worked the later pressings are worth almost nothing. If he still has it, cross your fingers that it's an early state.
DeleteRemember that morphing video I put up which shows him going from a young man to an old one?
ReplyDeleteI do; it was excellent.
DeleteI bet he wouldn't have used Photoshop even if it had been available! I always feel that he seemed comfortable in his own skin and actually preferred interesting faces to "beautiful" ones.
ReplyDeleteI expect most painted self-portraits are reasonably honest; mine have always been so. I don't think trying to make oneself more attractive began until Photoshop appeared.
DeleteIt's like "Really? How did I get so old? I don't feel this old. I can't be this old." The same conversation I have with myself every morning when I look in the mirror.
ReplyDeleteI've given-up Donna. Now I let that mirror tell the truth without arguing.
DeleteIt's the X factor which makes a genius. You cannot learn it or buy it. You just have it or not. Rembrandt did.Thank you for reminding me.
ReplyDelete