An Elderly Man as Saint Paul – (Rembrandt Van Rijn) Previous Next


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Topic: Men Saints

A Tale of the Old Testament in a Painting

In his great dramatic painting, Rembrandt van Rijn's 'An Elderly Man as Saint Paul' tells a story from the Old Testament (Daniel 5: 1–5, 25–8). The man in the gold cloak, enormous turban and tiny glasses is believed to be King Belshazzar of Babylon. Rembrandt masterfully captures the moment when the king sees the handwriting on the wall, a divine message that foretells his imminent downfall.

A Self-Portrait as Saint Paul?

Some art historians suggest that 'An Elderly Man as Saint Paul' might be a self-portrait of Rembrandt himself, dressed up as the apostle. This theory is supported by the fact that Rembrandt painted several self-portraits in his later years, exploring his own identity and spirituality.

A Masterpiece of Drama and Introspection

'An Elderly Man as Saint Paul' is a masterpiece of drama and introspection, showcasing Rembrandt's remarkable ability to capture the complexity of human emotions. The painting is now in the National Gallery, London, where visitors can admire its beauty and power up close.

Explore More Works by Rembrandt at Wikioo.org

If you're a fan of Rembrandt's work, be sure to check out our collection of handmade oil paintings reproductions and print on canvas of his famous artwork. From 'The Night Watch' to 'Self-Portrait with Two Circles', we have a wide range of beautiful pieces that will add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any room.

Visit Museum Het Rembrandthuis in Amsterdam

To learn more about Rembrandt's life and work, consider visiting Museum Het Rembrandthuis in Amsterdam. This museum is housed in the former home and studio of Rembrandt, where he lived and worked between 1639 and 1658. Today, Museum Het Rembrandthuis offers visitors a unique insight into the life and work of one of the greatest painters of all time.

Discover More Masterpieces at Wikioo.org

At Wikioo.org, we're passionate about art and dedicated to helping our customers discover and enjoy the beauty of famous artwork. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting your art journey, we have something for everyone. Browse our collection today and find your new favorite piece!

This artwork is in the public domain.

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