Artwork

Bust of an Elderly Man in a Flat Cap

Bust of an Elderly Man in a Flat Cap, by Rembrandt, ink, 1636
Bust of an Elderly Man in a Flat Cap, by Rembrandt, ink, 1636

Bust of an Elderly Man in a Flat Cap is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Rembrandt. It dates from 1636 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This 1636 drawing by Rembrandt van Rijn depicts a weary elderly man wearing a flat cap, characterized by rough, expressive lines and intense shading.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, an aged man with a worn expression and wrinkled face, conveys a sense of fatigue, with his hands resting on his knees. The portrayal emphasizes the natural, unidealized aspects of old age.

Technique & Style

Executed in pen and brown ink on laid paper, the work features bold, dark, overlapping strokes and scribble-like marks. Rembrandt employed rapid, unrefined techniques, including cross-hatching, to achieve deep shadows and textured effects without smoothing.

History & Provenance

Created in 1636, specific details regarding the drawing's original commission, early ownership, or exhibition history are not provided in the available information.

Context

This drawing reflects Rembrandt's broader interest in capturing the everyday lives and emotions of common people during the Dutch Golden Age, often using quick, expressive sketches to explore character and mood.

Legacy

While not individually renowned, this piece contributes to Rembrandt's extensive body of drawings that showcase his innovative use of ink techniques to convey depth and emotion, influencing later artists in portrait and figure drawing.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Rembrandt

Artist

Rembrandt

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (15 July 1606 – 4 October 1669), known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.