Artwork
Man in a Red Cloak

Man in a Red Cloak is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The work is painted in oil on a vertically grained oak panel, measuring 38.4 cm in height and 31.1 cm in width. The portrait is attributed to the style of Rembrandt and dated to 1650. The subdued palette is dominated by the cloak's crimson set against a dark, neutral ground that isolates the figure, a handling characteristic of mid-seventeenth-century Dutch portraiture.
History & Provenance
Following this private circulation, the artwork entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is inventoried as 1979.
The painting Man in a Red Cloak, dated to 1650, is an oil-on-panel portrait attributed to the style of Rembrandt. Its documented ownership chain includes the collectors Maurice Kann, Charles Sedelmeyer, and Jules Bache. Following this private circulation, the artwork entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is inventoried as 1979.3.76, having entered the collection in 1979. The piece measures 38.4 cm in height and 31.1 cm in width.
Overview
Rembrandt van Rijn, a prominent artist of the Dutch Golden Age, created Man in a Red Cloak around 1650. This oil painting portrays a distinguished figure, showcasing the artist's characteristic approach to portraiture. It exemplifies the rich artistic production of the Netherlands during a period of significant cultural flourishing, and is now housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features a man with curly hair and a solemn expression, his gaze directed outward. He is enveloped in a vivid red cloak, which contrasts with a subtle light-colored collar. The dark, undefined background serves to emphasize the sitter's face and the striking color of his garment, drawing the viewer's attention to these central elements.
Context
Painted during a period when Rembrandt was exploring diverse artistic expressions, Man in a Red Cloak reflects his broader engagement with various subjects and styles across painting, printmaking, and drawing. The work is a product of the Dutch Golden Age, an era recognized for its exceptional advancements in art and culture within the Netherlands.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.


















