Self-Portrait

Gerrit Dou

ca. 1665 · Oil on wood · European Paintings

Dou had a lifelong commitment to self-portraiture, often in fanciful or theatrical costume, that he shared with his teacher, Rembrandt. In some cases Dou adopted the guise of an aristocrat, but here he proudly displays the tools of his trade. Dou’s signature device of placing his image within the frame of a stone alcove would be adopted by other artists, as demonstrated by the portrait of Rachel Ruysch in this gallery.

Artist

Gerrit Dou

Date

ca. 1665

Medium

Oil on wood

Department

European Paintings

Credit line

Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913