Rembrandt self-portrait goes on display in Brighton

The museum said "all is not what it seems" in the painting

A self-portrait by the 17th Century Dutch artist Rembrandt has gone on display in Brighton as part of a National Gallery tour.

Rembrandt's painting, titled Self Portrait at the Age of 34, was unveiled at the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery on Friday.

Hedley Swain, Brighton & Hove Museums chief executive, said: "Rembrandt is one of the greatest artists in history and it is a privilege to be able to share it."

Self-portraits by young people inspired by Rembrandt's work have been displayed alongside the painting.

'Projecting an image'

The appearance of Rembrandt's self-portrait in Brighton is part of National Treasures, 12 exhibitions that opened on Friday across the UK to celebrate 200 years of the National Gallery in London.

Rembrandt was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker and draughtsman.

In his self-portrait, Brighton & Hove Museum said the artist presents himself "in a confident pose, dressed in expensive-looking fur, velvet and jewels but all is not what it seems".

The museum explained, in the painting from 1640, the artist had depicted himself in clothes from centuries earlier, portraying himself as a Renaissance gentleman.

"Rembrandt was projecting an image of himself as he would like to be perceived and claiming a much higher social status than artists had at that time," the museum said.

The painting will be on display to the public until 4 August.