Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has welcomed news that the iconic painting, Rembrandt’s ‘Self Portrait at the Age of 63’, has come to Belfast.
The work will be on display at the Ulster Museum from 15 January to 13 March.
The Minister said: “Rembrandt is one of the great artists of all time and the most prolific self-portrait painter of his era; indeed you could call him the ‘master of the selfie’. Thanks to his work, few artists are as well-documented or instantly recognisable as the seventeenth century Dutch master.”
Rembrandt created nearly 100 self-portraits during his lifetime, including approximately 50 paintings, 32 etchings and seven drawings.
The Minister added: “We live in a time when virtually every mobile phone has a camera, and anyone with an internet connection can share their photos with the entire world. This painting harks back to a different era. Using oil paint and canvas, Rembrandt’s work blends classical realism with modern expressionism.
“The texture and vibrancy of his paintings add emotional depth. This made Rembrandt the leading artist of his day, and his work still resonates hundreds of years later. Through his self-portraits, he has created a unique record of his life and documented his developing artistry.
“This painting, the last self-portrait of his lifetime, is the final work in a series which stands as a remarkable achievement by a great artist.
“I applaud the efforts of National Museums NI in securing this artwork for display in Belfast. I believe that organisations, across the artistic, cultural, sporting and social spectrum, should work in collaboration to connect with audiences and communities. In this case, it means bringing a hugely significant work of art to a new location and, with it, a new audience.”
