Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606 – 1669

St James the Elder

oil on canvas (92 × 75 cm) — 1661
private collection

This work is linked to Acts 12:2

Please scroll down to read more information about this work.

Rate this work of art:

[17 votes]

This is one of the five portraits Rembrandt made of apostles in 1661. Like the other ones it shows the lined face of contemplative man, dressed in 17th century style clothes. This canvas is exceptional in the series as the apostle is shown in profile. In the other works they are shown frontally or in three quarter profile.

St James can be identified by his usual iconographic attribute: the walking stick leaning against the wall. Note his weathered hands. They emphasize the prayer where his thoughts dwell.

The painting was sold at auction in 2007 for $25.8 million to an unknown bidder.

Rembrandt's 1661 apostles portraits: