1606–1669 · Artists

Rembrandt signature

Dutch painter and printmaker, 1606–1669

Inspired by Rembrandt’s signature

A rendering in a modern handwriting font, made for this page. It is not the real signature; see where to view the original below. Where to see the original ↓Style: La Belle Aurore, slant 2°

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Mr De Haviland · 4°

Who Rembrandt was

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was born in Leiden in 1606 and died in Amsterdam in 1669. He painted The Night Watch, dozens of self-portraits and biblical scenes, and made etchings that collectors have prized ever since.

Over his career he changed how he signed more than once, and the changes are useful evidence for dating his work.

The story of the signature

In his early Leiden years Rembrandt signed with a monogram, RHL, usually read as Rembrandt Harmenszoon Leidensis (“of Leiden”), often with the date. Around 1632, after moving to Amsterdam, he briefly used forms such as “RHL van Rijn”.

From 1632–33 he began to sign with his first name alone. At first he spelled it “Rembrant”, without the d, before settling on “Rembrandt” in 1633. Signing with a first name was unusual in the Netherlands and puts him in the company of Italian masters known by their first names, such as Titian, Raphael and Michelangelo; whether that comparison was his intention is a matter of interpretation.

The usual later form is “Rembrandt f.” followed by the year. The f. stands for fecit, Latin for “made it”. The Night Watch of 1642 in the Rijksmuseum, for example, is signed “Rembrandt f 1642”. Because his workshop was large and his pupils imitated him closely, a signature alone does not prove a painting is by him: scholars, notably the Rembrandt Research Project, have shown that some signatures on works once given to him were added by others.

What makes it distinctive

The RHL monogram

Three capitals, often joined, on early works from Leiden.

First name only

From the early 1630s, “Rembrandt”, an artist’s name used like a brand.

f. for fecit

The Latin abbreviation that turns the name into “Rembrandt made this”.

Date included

The year usually follows the signature, which helps with dating his work.

How to give your signature a similar feel

In the Type tab of the signature generator, type your first name followed by a short mark, such as “f.” or the year, and try La Belle Aurore or Mr De Haviland with a small Slant of 2° to 4°.
Consider whether your first name could work alone. If it is distinctive, it can be a strong artist’s signature.
Design an early-style monogram from your initials too, and keep both versions: one for small work, one for finished pieces.
Add the year to signed artwork. It is a habit future owners will thank you for.

Where to see the original

These links lead to archives, libraries, museums and Wikimedia Commons.

Questions about Rembrandt’s signature

What does “Rembrandt f.” mean?

The f. stands for fecit, Latin for “made it”, so the signature reads “Rembrandt made this”, usually followed by the year.

What does RHL stand for?

It is usually read as Rembrandt Harmenszoon Leidensis, “Rembrandt, son of Harmen, of Leiden”. He used it on early works.

Does a Rembrandt signature prove a painting is genuine?

No. Pupils and later hands sometimes added his signature, so experts judge authenticity on the painting as a whole.