- Twenty-seven fascinating self-portraits by 17th century Dutch
painters from an exhibition at the Mauritshuis (The Hague) in 2015-
Stunning examples of a genre that was immensely popular, more so than in
any other country This richly illustrated catalogue for an exhibition at
the Mauritshuis in 2015 features 27 outstanding examples of
self-portraits created during the Dutch Golden Age. It includes work by
Judith Leyster, Jan Steen, Rembrandt, Carel Fabritius and Gerrit Dou,
among others. The text explores the role of the self-portrait in 17th
century Dutch Art, examining how self-portraits showcase the artist's
ability and expertise, why they were so popular in the social and
economic milieu of the time, and who they were created for. The large
number of self-portraits painted during this period can be linked to the
increase in painting production. The competition was fierce, so painters
needed to generate a prominent position in the market: the self-portrait
gave artists and their work a recognizable identity. The self-portrait
was, therefore, not only a portrait of the painter, but also a statement
for prospective clients about the particular talents of each artist.