Artwork
Portrait of a man in a plumed hat
Portrait of a man in a plumed hat is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the Mauritshuis.
About this work
Overview
Rembrandt van Rijck created the oil portrait of a man wearing a plumed hat in 1635, during the height of the Dutch Golden Age. The work, now part of the Louvre’s collection, presents a half‑length view of a seated figure whose face is illuminated against a dark backdrop, emphasizing the sitter’s features and attire.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is a blond‑haired gentleman with a handlebar moustache, a small earring, and a decorative gorget. He dons a black hat crowned by a sizable dark feather, a high‑collared dark jacket, and a gold chain draped over his shoulder. His gaze is direct, his expression sober, suggesting a formal, possibly civic or military identity.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the painting showcases Rembrandt’s early mastery of chiaroscuro, using deep shadows to model the face and clothing while allowing subtle highlights to define texture, such as the feather’s sheen and the metallic glint of the chain. The brushwork combines fine detail in the facial features with broader, more fluid strokes in the background.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the portrait entered private collections before being acquired by the Louvre, where it remains on display. Its documented provenance traces a path typical of 17th‑century Dutch works, moving from Dutch owners to French institutions in the 19th century.
Context
The painting belongs to a period when Rembrandt was establishing his reputation for individualized portraiture, moving beyond generic likenesses to capture the psychological presence of his subjects. The inclusion of military accessories such as the gorget reflects contemporary fashions among the Dutch elite and civic guards.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (15 July 1606 – 4 October 1669), known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
