# Was Rembrandt left or right handed?  (better in GQ?)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-rembrandt-left-or-right-handed-better-in-gq/831819>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [March 31, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-rembrandt-left-or-right-handed-better-in-gq/831819 "2019-03-31T19:30:23Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-rembrandt-left-or-right-handed-better-in-gq/831819/1 "2019-03-31T19:30:23Z")

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Do we know for sure if he painted with his right or left hand? A self-portrait I saw yesterday makes me wonder.

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**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-rembrandt-left-or-right-handed-better-in-gq/831819/2 "2019-03-31T19:46:51Z")

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I have no cites or proof but I think I read it in Readers Digest years ago that he was ambidextrous.

ETA I just googled it. It says he was ambidextrous. Dyslexic and paranoid. Jeez, what a combo.

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**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-rembrandt-left-or-right-handed-better-in-gq/831819/3 "2019-03-31T20:11:15Z")

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That confirms my contention that the painting that I saw was done with his left hand. Looking at several of his self-portraits, I think ambidextrous is the best guess.