Self-portrait with raised Sabre (II/II)

Dating from 1634, when Rembrandt was twenty-eight, this is a confident, haughty portrait. Rembrandt cropped the image, making the subject appear closer to the front of the print and the viewer, and strengthening its confrontational feel.

The artist has portrayed himself slightly frowning and holding a curved sabre or falchion-type weapon in a gloved hand; he is richly attired in an ermine fur collar, embroidery and ruched cuffs, and wearing a cap topped with an ostrich feather, itself a signifier of luxury at the time as an expensive import from Africa. Rembrandt owned a vast collection of costumes, armour, weapons and musical instruments which he utilised as props in his work. The inventory of his possessions, drawn up in 1656 following his bankruptcy, lists antique textiles, 'brightly coloured jackets', 'Indian costumes', antique helmets, breast plates and shields, and a large number of bows, crossbows, arrows and spears.