Dutch Self-Portraits Of The Golden Age

This richly illustrated catalogue for an exhibition at the Mauritshuis in 2015 features 27 outstanding examples of self-portraits created during the Dutch Golden Age. It includes work by Judith Leyster, Jan Steen, Rembrandt, Carel Fabritius and Gerrit Dou, among others. The text explores the role of the self-portrait in 17th century Dutch Art, examining how self-portraits showcase the artist’s ability and expertise, why they were so popular in the social and economic milieu of the time, and who they were created for. The large number of self-portraits painted during this period can be linked to the increase in painting production. The competition was fierce, so painters needed to generate a prominent position in the market: the self-portrait gave artists and their work a recognizable identity. The self-portrait was, therefore, not only a portrait of the painter, but also a statement for prospective clients about the particular talents of each artist.