abstract:"The Black Velvet Band" (Roud number 2146) is a traditional English and Irish folk song describing transportation to Australia, a common punishment in 19th century Britain and Ireland. The song tells the story of a tradesman who meets a young woman who has stolen an item and passed it on to him (the lyrics of the song vary from place to place).
In the 91 x 72 cm portrait, Rembrandt is wearing a blackvelvet cap with two ostrich feathers, a decorative metal band worn round the neck and a short, decorated velvet cape.