“A Franciscan Friar” by Rembrandt

Happy birthday Rembrandt. Born on 15th July. See my most recent post on him. 

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A Franciscan Friar by Rembrandt van Rijn

Came across an addition to the Rembrandts the other day at the NG.

Painted in about 1655, it is a study of a Franciscan friar, of the Order of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Rembrandt is really gifted at capturing vulnerability and fragility. A frailty in the distant gaze and face, slight melancholy. Some facial disability, even blindness?

Beautiful.