Rembrandt painted his Portrait of Jan Six in 1654.
The portrait shows Jan Six, a wealthy Amsterdam burgomaster, writer, and collector who was connected with Rembrandt. Six is presented in a relaxed moment, putting on a glove while wearing a red cloak. The informal pose and restrained expression create a sense of private character rather than official public display.
The work is celebrated for its rapid-looking brushwork, especially in the clothing and hair, combined with carefully controlled details in the face. Rembrandt’s ability to suggest texture with relatively economical marks is one reason the portrait has remained central to discussions of his mature style.
Jan Six came from a prominent Amsterdam family, and his descendants kept the painting for centuries. The portrait should not be confused with Rembrandt’s etching of Jan Six, made in 1647. That print is a separate work and predates the celebrated painted portrait by seven years.