Who painted Head of a boy?

Head of a boy was painted by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1643-01-01.

Where can I see Head of a boy?

Head of a boy is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Head of a boy?

Head of a boy is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Head of a boy?

Museum-quality prints of Head of a boy are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Head of a boy by Rembrandt van Rijn (1643)

About this work

This painting shows a boy’s head in oil paint. It’s small, just a study of a face, not a full scene.

Art historians once thought it was by Rembrandt’s friend Jan Lievens. In 1973, Rudi Ekkart proved it was likely Rembrandt’s work or from his studio. The wood panel was tested and dates to 1637 or later.

It lives at the Rijksmuseum now. It got there in 1909.

Check out the Rijksmuseum next.

Subject & Meaning

The work shows the head of a boy with long, curling hair, turned to the right. It is executed as a portrait, concentrating on the youthful features and expression of the sitter. The presentation aligns with the genre of portraiture, emphasizing the individual character of the child rather than a narrative or allegorical subject.

Technique & Style

A partially legible inscription in the lower right reads ‘Rembrandt / geretuceer [...

The painting is executed in oil paint on an oak panel. It depicts a boy’s head turned to the right, the hair long and curly. A partially legible inscription in the lower right reads ‘Rembrandt / geretuceer [...] / Lieve [...]’.

Dendrochronological examination of the panel shows that the oak could have been prepared as early as 1637, but allowing for possible missing rings makes a date around 1643 or later more probable.

History & Provenance

Head of a Boy is a painting attributed to Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, created circa 1643. The work is executed in oil on panel and belongs to the portrait genre. It entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam in 1909, acquired with support from the Vereniging Rembrandt from a dealer named F. Negele in Munich.

Early scholarly opinion, notably by Rudi Ekkart in 1973, contested its attribution to Rembrandt, suggesting instead a work from his studio or immediate circle, a view that remains current. Dendrochronological analysis of the oak panel indicates the earliest possible date of execution is 1637, with a more probable date of around 1643 or later.

The painting Head of a Boy is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The museum acquired the work in May 1909 with financial support from the Rembrandt Association, purchasing it from a seller identified as F. Negele in Munich. While the specific inventory or accession number is not provided in the available records, the entry into the national collection occurred over a century ago. There is no information in the provided sources regarding specific exhibitions where the work has been displayed.

Context

Long misattributed to Jan Lievens due to an inscription referencing both Rembrandt and Lievens, this work exemplifies the close stylistic relationship between the two artists early in their careers. The attribution shifted significantly in 1973 when Rudi Ekkart challenged the Lievens identification, proposing instead that the panel originated from Rembrandt's studio or immediate circle. This reevaluation aligns with dendrochronological findings indicating the oak panel could not have been painted before 1637, with a date around 1643 or later being more probable despite earlier art historical tendencies to place it between 1630 and 1634.

Now held by the Rijksmuseum, which acquired the piece in 1909, the painting serves as a key example in scholarship regarding the diffusion of Rembrandt's style among his pupils and associates during the 1640s.

Overview

Head of a Boy is an oil painting portraying a single youthful head. The work dates from around 1643 or later, based on scientific analysis of the wooden support. It measures modestly, functioning as a study rather than a narrative composition, and is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection.