Artwork
Titus Posing for a Study of an Angel
Titus Posing for a Study of an Angel is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1661 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Rembrandt used this study to explore spiritual themes of divine presence and innocence, aligning with Counter-Reformation emphases on personal devotion.
The painting shows the artist's son Titus as a youthful figure posed as an angel within a devotional composition. Rembrandt used this study to explore spiritual themes of divine presence and innocence, aligning with Counter-Reformation emphases on personal devotion. The work functions both as a technical exercise in rendering celestial forms and as an intimate family record, reflecting the artist's deep engagement with religious symbolism during his later years in Amsterdam.
Technique & Style
The work was executed in oil paint on an oak panel, a combination that contributes to its textured surface and luminous finish. The painting measures 40.6 cm in height and 34.9 cm in width, reflecting a modest scale typical of study compositions. Rembrandt’s handling of light and delicate brushwork emphasizes the three-dimensional modeling of the figures, while the compositional focus on the angelic figure introduces a subtle narrative element within the portrait genre. The surface condition remains stable, with no noted losses or structural concerns reported.
Overview
Titus Posing for a Study of an Angel is a 1661 oil painting by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, featuring his son Titus in a contemplative pose alongside an implied angelic presence.
History & Provenance
Created during Rembrandt's exploration of intimate family subjects, the painting is now part of the Detroit Institute of Arts' collection.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
Portrait of Thérèse Schwartze, the Artist's Daughter, at 16 years of age
Self-Portrait
Self-portrait with a grey hat
Self-portrait
Portrait of a woman with a ruby pendant
Portrait of Ernest de Beveren, Lord of West-IJsselmonde and De Lindt
Portrait of a Young Man
Portrait of Thérèse Schwartze (1851-1918), the artist's daughter at age 16
Portrait of Titus (overpaint removed between 1908-1935)
Young Man in a Turban
Portrait of Ernest de Beveren, Lord of West-IJsselmonde and De Lindt- Titus, the Artist's Son