Rembrandt masterpiece goes on display at Ulster Museum

A Rembrandt masterpiece has gone on display at the Ulster Museum in Belfast.

Self Portrait at the Age of 63, painted in 1669 in the final year of the artist's life, is on loan from the National Gallery in London, as part of its Masterpiece Tour.

The piece will be showcased at the south Belfast venue until March 13th along side the Ulster Museum’s own collection of Dutch paintings from the 17th century, including works by Salomon van Ruysdael, Jan Symonsz Pynas and Nicolaes Maes.

Rembrandt produced 80 paintings, drawings and etchings of himself over his lifetime.

Mary Hersov, National Gallery London programme manager, said in some of these Rembrandt was dressed up as a character and in other cases he is clearly himself.

"We were very keen to share our great paintings around the UK and Northern Ireland does not have a Rembrandt in their collection so we felt it was very important that we brought one here," she said.

“He is absolutely painting himself as an old man...I think it’s a very profound image of someone scrutinising themselves in old age and we felt that was the picture that people could really relate to.”

Anne Stewart, National Museums Northern Ireland's curator of fine art, described the Rembrandt work as an incredible piece.

“There is an intensity and pride about the painting...There is a strong sense that this was a self-portrait by someone who knew he was close to the end of his life,” she said.

The Ulster Museum is also hosting a linked programme of events and activities for all ages including a series of gallery tours, lectures and literary evenings for adults and self-portrait painting workshops for children.