Head of Christ

Style of Rembrandt Dutch
Not on view
Rembrandt painted this subject a number of times; three examples, one described as "Een Christus tonie nae't leven" ("a head of Christ done from life," that is, from a model probably found in the Jewish quarter of Amsterdam), were cited in the 1656 inventory of the artist's possessions. Of the dozen bust-length portraits of Christ known today, only the small panel in Berlin is universally accepted, but several others are obviously the work of pupils. The present picture, which is sensitive both in conception and execution, must be either by Rembrandt or by one of his most gifted followers. The issue, as so often is the case, is complicated by the fact that the paint surface has been flattened and badly abraded.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Head of Christ
  • Artist: Style of Rembrandt (Dutch, 1650s)
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 16 3/4 x 13 1/2 in. (42.5 x 34.3 cm); with added strips 18 5/8 x 14 5/8 in. (47.3 x 37.1 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Mr. and Mrs. Isaac D. Fletcher Collection, Bequest of Isaac D. Fletcher, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.120.222
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.