Artwork
Old Man Sleeping in an Armchair
Old Man Sleeping in an Armchair is an ink print by the Baroque artist Salomon Koninck. It dates from 1632 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Salomon Koninck’s 1632 etching, *Old Man Sleeping in an Armchair*, depicts a solitary elderly figure at rest. Rendered in a modest interior, the composition centers on the seated man whose relaxed face and folded hands convey a moment of quiet repose, offering a glimpse into everyday domestic life.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures an ordinary scene—a senior individual dozing in a simple armchair—without overt symbolism. The stillness of the figure and the unadorned setting emphasize the naturalness of sleep, inviting contemplation of the passage of time and the dignity of ordinary moments.
Technique & Style
Executed as an etching, Koninck employed fine lines and delicate cross‑hatching to model the figure’s features and the surrounding space. The restrained tonal range and careful rendering of texture reflect the Dutch printmaking tradition of the early 17th century, where clarity of form and subtle shading were prized.
History & Provenance
Born in Amsterdam in 1609, Koninck trained with artists such as Pieter Lastman and was linked to the circle of Rembrandt. He joined the Sint Lucasgilde, the city’s guild of painters and printmakers. *Old Man Sleeping in an Armchair* is among his early prints, produced during a period when he was establishing his reputation for genre scenes and portraiture.
Context
The etching belongs to a broader Dutch Golden Age interest in genre subjects that portrayed daily life with realism and moral nuance. Koninck’s focus on a solitary, contemplative figure aligns with contemporary trends that valued intimate, observational depictions of common people.
Artist & collection
Artist
Salomon (de) Koninck (1609 – buried 8 August 1656) was a Dutch painter of genre scenes and portraits, and an engraver.
