Artwork
Self-portrait in a fur coat with gold chain and earring
Self-portrait in a fur coat with gold chain and earring is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
In 1655 Rembrandt van Rijn produced an oil painting that presents himself in a luxurious fur coat, a gold chain and a single earring. The work is executed on canvas and now belongs to the collection of Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum. It exemplifies the mature period of the artist’s self‑portraiture, when he explored personal identity through elaborate dress and dramatic lighting.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is the artist, rendered as a middle‑aged man whose gaze meets the viewer directly. By adorning himself with costly accessories, Rembrandt signals both his professional success and his contemplation of status. The half‑lit face, contrasted with the dark background, invites reflection on the fleeting nature of wealth and the inner life behind outward appearances.
Technique & Style
Rembrandt employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing light to carve the contours of his skin and the plush texture of the fur. The brushwork varies from the soft, blended tones of the illuminated face to the more impasto handling of the gold chain, creating a tactile sense of depth. The overall palette is restrained, emphasizing the interplay of light and shadow rather than vivid color.
History & Provenance
After its creation, the portrait entered private collections before being acquired by the Austrian imperial court in the 18th century. It has remained in the Kunsthistorisches Museum since that institution’s foundation, where it is displayed among other works by Rembrandt and his contemporaries, providing insight into the artist’s later self‑portrait practice.
Context
The painting belongs to the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by economic prosperity and a flourishing art market. By the mid‑1650s Rembrandt’s style had shifted toward introspective self‑examination, moving away from the earlier, more flamboyant self‑portraits. This work reflects that transition, combining personal vanity with a sober, psychological depth characteristic of his late oeuvre.
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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.
