Dou’s Self-Portrait shows the young artist at the early stage of his success. Through Dou’s focus on light and darkness, the viewer’s attention is immediately drawn to the artist, whose face is accentuated by the crisp bright light in the center of the composition. The figure covers most of the small composition. Seated in the foreground of the image, sporting expensive kid leather gloves with a glimpse of his studio behind him, Dou presents himself as an already established and successful studio master.

Dou’s work was highly influenced by his master, Rembrandt van Rijn. However, his style of portraiture did not reflect the likeness of his master, who often accentuated his emotions within his portraits. Dou’s Self-Portrait is less about his feelings, and more about his presence both artistically and socially. His many patrons were known to place self-portraits of Dou next to their collections of other works by the artist. Dou’s Self-Portrait, while physically small in stature, served as a grand representation of his early success.

Annotated Bibliography: http://smalltreasures.as.ua.edu/?p=336

By Megan Mitton