Portrait Of A Man With Arms Akimbo Essay

Rembrandt van Rijin’s Portrait of a Man With Arms Akimbo reflects his personal technique as well as the Dutch Baroque style, which lasted throughout the 17th Century. This piece features an unidentified man depicted in a position of strength and superiority. This is established through Rembrandt’s use of composition and light, using effects common to the Baroque era such as tenebrism. To better understand the identity of the man pictured, physical qualities such as style of dress can be used to suggest his occupation and time period. Rembrandt was known for creating strikingly realistic portraits, often portraying his subjects with a psychological presence. This is evident in his depiction of facial features, most notably the subject’s gaze. Such qualities are reflected in a variety of Rembrandt’s portraits, such as Self Portrait. Furthermore, French artist Theodore Gericault uses similar techniques in his …show more content…
Rembrandt was believed to have been inspired by the Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens. In this particular portrait, Rembrandt’s inclusion of a hooked thumb makes reference to one of Ruben’s pieces, indicating he was drawing on techniques and styles from other Netherlandish artists of his time. The majority of the frame is overtaken by the man’s figure, emphasizing his large presence in relation to the overall size of the painting. Such qualities indicate that the painting serves the purpose of embellishing the man’s reputation by portraying him in a superior manner. In comparison to Rembrandt’s earlier portraits, this work is of a much larger scale. When experiencing the piece in a gallery setting, it’s large size gives the viewer a sense of inferiority. This is further emphasized by the use of negative space; the absence of scenery in the background ensures that the viewer’s gaze is not distracted from the main