Creation and Subject

The portrait, titled "Titus, the Artist's Son," was created around 1657. It depicts Titus van Rijn, Rembrandt's only surviving child with his first wife, Saskia van Uylenburgh, at about the age of 16.

Appearance and Costume

In the portrait, Titus is shown wearing a sixteenth-century Venetian costume, complete with a gold earring and chain, and a red beret that complements his voluminous curls. This attire reflects Rembrandt's practice of dressing his subjects in various historical and fantastical costumes to add depth and complexity to his portraits.

Artistic Technique

Rembrandt employed his characteristic use of chiaroscuro, with the light coming from the left side, casting the right side of Titus's face in strong shadow. This dramatic lighting, combined with Titus's position in the foreground, creates a lifelike and engaging image. The portrait uses a reduced color palette with shades of brown, accented by the red in the beret, hair, and lips.

Historical Context

The portrait was painted during a period of significant financial and personal turmoil for Rembrandt. In 1656, Rembrandt had declared bankruptcy, and Titus had been given more responsibility in managing his father's affairs. This context may be reflected in Titus's serious demeanor in the portrait.

Provenance and Authenticity

The portrait is part of the Wallace Collection in London and has never had its authenticity or date questioned. It is one of the few Rembrandt paintings that have consistently been accepted as genuine without any doubt.

Other Portraits of Titus

Rembrandt painted Titus in various guises, including "Titus in Monk's Habit" (1660), where Titus is depicted in a monk's attire, possibly as Saint Francis of Assisi. This painting is housed at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.