# The Standard Bearer

- By: Rembrandt van Rijn (Leiden, 1606–1669)
- Date: 1636
- Medium: canvas, oil paint (paint)
- Classification: painting
- Dimensions: height 102.6 cm x width 97.5 cm x depth 3.2 cm x height 118.8 cm x width 96.8 cm
- Credit line: Purchased by the Dutch State with the support of the members of the Rembrandt Association (thanks in part to its Stortenbeker Fonds, A.M. Roeters van Lennep Fonds, Nationaal Fonds Kunstbezit, Nationaal Fonds 1930, Acquoy-Nairac Fonds,…
- Museum: [Rijksmuseum](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/SK-A-5092--276afc534e38c0f29adceef589000c3a)
- Rights: [Public Domain Mark](http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/)
- Picture: https://iiif.micr.io/wceCO/full/!1920,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Teens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

Rembrandt’s ensign proudly poses near a column, the symbol of fortitude, his dagger within reach. Ensigns carried the banner of the civic guard or army. They had to defend this symbol with their life. When Rembrandt painted The Standard Bearer he had just begun working for himself and was experimenting with a loose painting style. Rembrandt took himself as the model: the face behind the walrus moustache is recognizably his own.