Self-portrait leaning on a stone sill

Rembrandt van Rijn composed this self-portrait showing himself leaning casually on a stone sill, looking directly at the viewer. The composition creates an intimate connection, as if the artist is emerging from the canvas into our space with confident presence.

This self-portrait belongs to the Art Institute of Chicago, which holds several Rembrandt works documenting his lifelong practice of self-examination through portraiture.