Saint Bartholomew

Rembrandt signed and dated this in 1657, a bleak year for him. He had just been through insolvency. To satisfy his creditors the courts had inventoried everything he owned, the grand house on the Breestraat and the enormous art collection inside it, all of it heading for auction. Out of that period comes this quiet half-length of the apostle Bartholomew. He is remembered for a gruesome end, flayed alive, and Rembrandt gives the sign of it plainly. In the saint's hand rests a short butcher's knife, held loosely, without drama. He looks off to one side, brow furrowed, seemingly turning over what is coming. Rembrandt lets most of the figure sink into shadow and saves his light for the lined, thinking face.