LatinosUSA

Hi everyone, it’s Robbie Cheadle here with you today with the October post in the Famous Artworks series on LatinosUSA – English Edition.

This post is another collaboration with the wonderful Resa McConaghy and shares some information about Rembrandt’s head studies, called tronies, which he created together with his studio mate, Jan Lievens (1607 – 1674).

Rather than painting a specific individual, tronies focused on types including older men and women with faces full of character. Some models appear multiple times in these works and were sometimes even used as the basis for characters for larger biblical paintings. Their identifies are not know.

The photographs are by Resa and were taken during her visit to the the Art Gallery of Ontario to see The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse exhibition.

My photographs of Rembrandt’s famous Night Watch appear after the tronies. My photographs are off centre due to the crowds at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

Rembrandt’s tronies by Resa

First Painting – Head of a Man in a Turban (circa 1661) oil on wood

Second Painting – Head of an Old Man in a cap (circa 1630) oil on wood

Third painting – Portrait of Man with Arms Akimbo (circa 1658) oil on canvas

Picture 4 – Portrait of Woman with a Lap Dog (circa 1665) oil on canvas

Night Watch by Rembrandt

AI summary with links: Night Watch (1642) is Rembrandt van Rijn‘s most famous monumental group portrait, depicting an Amsterdam civic guard militia company led by Captain Frans Banninck Cocq and Lieutenant Willem van Ruytenburch.

I was lucky enough to eventually get a clear picture of Night Watch even though it was off centre. I also squeezed in a selfie.

Finale

I’m finishing this post with a smile. I undertook a study when I was making fondant figurines of how to include facial and body details to create an age effect.

About Resa McConaghy

My name is Resa McConaghy. I’m a semi-retired Costume Designer for film and television.

My first Art Gown “Strawberry Kisses” was to create some beauty in my life after mom died. It was a hit with people, so I continued to make and post more “Art Gowns”.

At some early point, I began upcycling, repurposing and in general making the gowns out of any fabric or notions that were not new goods. I was using up anything headed for landfill.

The Art Gowns are available to borrow or rent (situation dependant) for Gala’s, photo shoots and film production.

Resa’s Costume Design website: https://resamcconaghy.com/

Resa’s Art Gown blog: https://artgowns.com/2025/11/22/held-inside-the-folds-of-time/

Res’as Graffiti Lux Art & More blog: https://graffitiluxandmurals.com/2025/11/29/gal-lery-i/

Resa has a fantastic book. You can find out more about it here: https://graffitiluxandmurals.com/artists/

About Robbie Cheadle

South African author, photographer, and artist, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated seventeen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, written and illustrated four poetry books and written and illustrated one celebration of cake and fondant art book with recipes. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.

Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/

Social Media Links

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/robbiecheadle.bsky.social
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVyFo_OJLPqFa9ZhHnCfHUA
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15584446.Robbie_Cheadle
TSL Publications: https://tslbooks.uk/product-tag/robbie-cheadle/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Robbie-Cheadle/author/B01N9J62GQ
Unsplash profile: https://unsplash.com/@r_cheadle