REMBRANDT Harmenszoon van Rijn
(b. 1606, Leiden, d. 1669, Amsterdam)

Saskia, the Artist's Wife

1643
Oil on mahogany, 75 x 60 cm
Staatliche Museen, Berlin

Catalogue number: Bredius 109.

Rembrandt's life-size effigy of Saskia was painted one year after her death. She is portrayed in theatrical fashion, decked out in "historical" attire, gems, and turban, through which Rembrandt strove for a timelessness to reinforce the power of her lost presence. Saskia had been closely studied in the more than twenty portraits for which she posed.

The painting's support, an unusually durable and costly mahogany, allows for subtle, glimmering highlights. A self-portrait on mahogany (private collection) is its probable pendant.

This painting was probably executed by a follower of Rembrandt.