This is one of the first works in which Rembrandt portrayed himself - he was about 22 years old. The light is strong and comes from behind. Rembrandt's face is in shadow and difficult to distinguish. The experimental manner in which the hair is rendered is interesting: Rembrandt made scratches in the wet paint, allowing the undercoat to show through.
Purchased in 1977 from D.H. Cevat (Guernsey), with the support of the Vereniging Rembrandt, the Prins Bernhard Fonds, the State, and the Fotocommissie.