Artwork
Bearded Man, in a Furred Oriental Cap and Robe: the Artist's Father
Bearded Man, in a Furred Oriental Cap and Robe: the Artist's Father is an ink print by the Baroque artist Rembrandt. It dates from 1631 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1631, this print by Rembrandt van Rijn is an etching that portrays a bearded figure dressed in a fur‑trimmed oriental cap and robe. The work is executed in monochrome, employing a spectrum of blacks and grays that give the image a palpable sense of depth and three‑dimensionality.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is identified as the artist’s own father, rendered with a restrained expression that suggests quiet dignity. The elaborate costume, with its exotic origins, reflects contemporary Dutch fascination with Eastern attire while also emphasizing the personal connection between artist and subject.
Technique & Style
Rembrandt combined traditional etching with precise burin work, allowing him to model light and shadow across the figure’s features and fabrics. The careful modulation of tone creates a tactile impression of the fur’s texture and the folds of the robe, showcasing his early mastery of chiaroscuro in printmaking.
History & Provenance
The print was produced during Rembrandt’s early Amsterdam period, a time when he was establishing his reputation for portraiture. Surviving impressions have been held in several European collections, and the work continues to be referenced in studies of his familial subjects.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (15 July 1606 – 4 October 1669), known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
Bearded Man in a Fur Cap, Facing Left
Bearded Man in a Fur Cap, Facing Left
Bust of a Man Wearing a High Cap, Three-Quarters Right (The Artist's Father?)
Bust of a Man Wearing a High Cap, Three-Quarters Right (The Artist's Father?)
The Fourth Oriental Head
Head of a Young Man in a Feathered Hat (so-called Self-Portrait)
Man with a Beard and a Tassled Headdress, Facing Left
Beggar Seated on a Bank
Self-Portrait in a Flat Cap and Embroidered Dress
Man in an Arbor
A Bald Man in Profile (The Artist's Father?)
The Second Oriental Head