Arcadópolis
Titus, the Artist’s Son, as a Monk
Rembrandt, 1660
What you see
Titus is seen from the waist up, wrapped in a heavy brown habit, its pointed hood covering his head and shading his forehead. He tilts his head slightly and looks down to the left, with the faintest hint of a smile. Behind him, foliage appears on the right; on the left, the background is nearly black.
Everything is painted in browns, ochres and muted greens, and the only bright area is the face, with the nose, lips and one cheek catching the light. The habit is built from broad, rough strokes that suggest coarse cloth. Watch for the few green leaves gleaming on the left, beside his shoulder.
About Rembrandt
Rembrandt van Rijn was the great master of light and shadow of the Dutch Golden Age, in Amsterdam. He painted faces so expressive that they seem to think and feel. He made about 80 self-portraits, like a diary of his whole life.
More by Rembrandt
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