Artwork
Old Man with a Flowing Beard: Bust
Old Man with a Flowing Beard: Bust is a print by the Baroque artist Rembrandt. It dates from 1631 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1631, the print titled Old Man with a Flowing Beard: Bust is attributed to the Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed as an example of Rembrandt’s early exploration of portraiture in print form.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a mature male figure whose unkempt, curly hair and dense beard dominate his visage. A solemn expression and furrowed brow convey a sense of introspection, suggesting the artist’s interest in depicting the psychological depth of ordinary individuals rather than idealized heroes.
Technique & Style
Rendered with loose, scratchy lines, the print relies heavily on chiaroscuro—the contrast of light and dark—to model the facial features. The stark illumination accentuates the contours of the beard and cheekbones, while the shadowed areas recede, giving the bust a three‑dimensional presence characteristic of Rembrandt’s early graphic experiments.
History & Provenance
The work entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the mid‑20th century, joining a broader collection of Dutch prints. Its attribution to Rembrandt has been supported by stylistic analysis and documented provenance tracing back to European collections that valued the artist’s early prints.
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.
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