Self-Portrait as the Apostle PaulRembrandt van Rijn

Rembrandt van Rijn’s 1661 self-portrait as Apostle Paul uniquely combines his likeness with the biblical figure. This oil on canvas is his only self-depiction in a religious guise. Traditional symbols of Paul, like the sword and manuscript, are present, yet Rembrandt humanizes the apostle, portraying him as an ordinary person. By integrating his own features, Rembrandt invites viewers to connect personally with the saint, bridging the sacred and the everyday.