Saskia van Uylenburgh in Arcadian Costume

This painting, dated to around 1634-1635, depicts Saskia dressed as Flora, the Roman goddess of spring and fertility. She is adorned in a lavish Renaissance-style gown, carrying a large bouquet of flowers and wearing pearls and a necklace of wild flowers. This portrait is characterized by its Arcadian theme, with Saskia portrayed in a grand yet pastoral setting

Portrait of Saskia van Uylenburgh (National Gallery of Art)

This portrait, likely begun around 1634-1635 and finished later, shows Saskia wearing a diaphanous veil, which was not customary for a woman of her social status but added an intimate and softer quality to the portrait. The painting features Rembrandt's varied techniques, including dense, enamel-like paint on the highlighted areas of her face and a thinner layer of flesh color on the shaded areas. The portrait has undergone significant revisions, including changes to her face, collar, and the addition of the veil

Self-Portrait with Saskia

This etching from 1636 is the only formal double portrait of the couple. It depicts Rembrandt and Saskia in 16th-century costume, with Saskia wearing a veil and Rembrandt a feathered beret. Initially, the image may have started as a study of Saskia, but Rembrandt later inserted his own figure, altering the nature of the image. This work belongs to the subgenre of marriage portraiture and may also allude to the theme of love as the source of artistic creativity

Drawings and Etchings

Rembrandt created several drawings and etchings of Saskia, often capturing her in domestic settings. One notable example is a drawing in the Kupferstichkabinett in Berlin, where he inscribed a note indicating it was drawn shortly after their betrothal in 1633. These works show an evident intimacy and help in identifying authentic portraits of Saskia due to her distinctive facial features, such as her beaky nose with a sharp bump along the bridge.

These artworks not only showcase Rembrandt's artistic skill but also provide a glimpse into the life and relationship of Rembrandt and Saskia van Uylenburgh.