Rembrandt painted the 1633 work known as Rembrandt Laughing. The small oil painting shows the artist smiling broadly and is often described as an unusually spontaneous image among his many self-portraits.
The painting was made during Rembrandt’s early Amsterdam period, soon after he left Leiden. Its loose handling and theatrical expression reflect his interest in studying faces, emotions, and dramatic character. Rembrandt frequently used his own face as a convenient model for experimenting with expressions, lighting, costume, and age.
The title is descriptive rather than an original title supplied by Rembrandt. It is therefore sometimes confused with other laughing or smiling self-portraits, including works in which he wears historical or exotic costume. The 1633 date and the laughing expression identify this particular painting.