Portrait of a Man in a Red Doublet (1633) is considered among the finest
examples of the Dutch master’s portraits and was produced during
Rembrandt’s first years in Amsterdam when he was one of the most
sought-after portrait painters.

According to various sources, the identity of the man in the painting, which
was discovered in 1930 in a private collection in England, is unknown. This
is not unusual, but the costume that he wears is very different from the black
attire usually worn by Rembrandt’s Amsterdam patrons. It is believed that the
red doublet with braid fastenings has military significance. The collar is also
unusual in that it is plain without the standard elaborate lace trimming.
Speculation by experts is that the sitter could have been a foreign soldier
residing in The Hague at the time.

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-69) is considered by many to be the greatest artist of the Dutch School. He was a master of light and shadow with paintings
characterised by exquisite brushwork and rich colour. His numerous portraits
and self-portraits exhibit a profound understanding of the character of his
subjects.

Find out more:
>Press Release
>Rembrandt House Museum

Also on show now at the BNG:
>Winter Exhibitions

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