“Man with the Blue Sleeve” vs "Self Portrait at the Age of 34"

Are you copying me?

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Anything you can do I can do better!

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Rembrandt saw Titian’s portrait of the mysterious “Man with the Blue Sleeve” in Amsterdam around the time one of the biggest and most exciting art auctions was happening there. The auction was held in 1639 and a savvy entrepreneur Alphonso Lopez splashed out a sensational 3500 guilders on another beautiful portrait of Baldassare Castiglione by none other than Raphael. We know this because Rembrandt was there, made a rough sketch of the portrait and jotted down detailed notes on the margins about the sale. One of the notes states “count Baldassare Castiglione by Raphael sold for 3500 guilders”.

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The Raphael was added to Lopez’s extensive and valuable art collection that already contained Titian’s “Man with the Blue Sleeve”. Records show that Lopez also owned one of Rembrandt’s earlier biblical paintings which means that Rembrandt may have visited Lopez’s home where he could familiarise himself with the Raphael and the Titian.

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In his “Self-Portrait at the Age of 34” Rembrandt borrows from Titian not only the unmistakable “leaning over the windowsill” pose but also his (and many other Italian artists’) practice of signing the work with just the first name. This portrait is a statement, a business card. It says: I am the heir of the great Italian tradition.

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In the best traditions of Italian Renaissance art, Titian’s portrait is refined, dignified and polished. The luxurious sky-blue satin sleeve is so opulent, so divinely tactile that it is difficult to resist the temptation of running your fingers over the surface of the canvas. There is no such refinement in Rembrandt. The realism of his messy facial hair, his soft double-chin, heavy wrinkled eyelids over his slightly blood-shot eyes is unapologetic. Those eyes are penetrating as well as introspective. It is a whole new level of portrait virtuosity.

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And traditionally, I would love to hear your opinion. Which do you prefer - 1, 2 or 3?

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Images:

Titian, A Man with a Quilted Sleeve, c. 1510, National Gallery

Rembrandt, Self Portrait at the Age of 34, 1640, National Gallery

Raphael, Portrait of Baldassare Castiglione, c. 1514–1515, Louvre

Rembrandt, Sketch after Raphael's Portrait of Baldassarre Castiglione, 1639, drawing, Albertina, Vienna