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A Young Man with a Chain

Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606–1669)

A Young Man with a Chain

Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606–1669)
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Period

Baroque

Theme

Portrait

Medium

oil on wood

Current Location

Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland

The Story

Early Rembrandt showing off.

The gold chain proves wealth, but look at the boy's uncertain expression—he's playing at being a man.

At 23, Rembrandt was already obsessed with capturing psychological complexity beneath fancy costumes and jewelry..

“A silence so complete it becomes its own witness.”

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A restrained palette and sculptural lighting create a solemn geometry. The wooden crate and letter anchor the narrative with journalistic precision.