Artwork
Old Bearded Man in a High Fur Cap, with Eyes Closed
Old Bearded Man in a High Fur Cap, with Eyes Closed is an ink print by the Baroque artist Rembrandt. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1635, this work is an etching by Rembrandt van Rijn that depicts an elderly, bearded figure. The print presents the man in a voluminous fur cap that drapes low over his features, his eyes closed and head inclined slightly forward, conveying a moment of quiet introspection.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on the solitary presence of an aged man, his closed eyes suggesting contemplation or repose. The fur cap, rendered with heavy texture, emphasizes both the physical weight of the garment and perhaps the social status associated with such attire in the 17th‑century Dutch context.
Technique & Style
Rembrandt employed the traditional etching process, incising lines into a copper plate that were then inked and pressed onto paper. The resulting marks are bold and uneven, with a pronounced darkness that gives the figure a tactile quality. The loose, scratchy strokes contrast with the smoother finishes of his later works, highlighting a more spontaneous approach.
History & Provenance
The print belongs to the early period of Rembrandt’s printmaking career, a time when he explored the expressive possibilities of the medium. While specific ownership records are limited, the work has been catalogued among his etchings from the mid‑1630s and appears in several major museum collections dedicated to Dutch Golden Age 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.
Old Man with Beard, Fur Cap, and Velvet Cloak
Old Man with Beard, Fur Cap, and Velvet Cloak
Bearded Man in a Fur Cap, Facing Left
Old Man with a Divided Fur Cap
Bearded Man in a Fur Cap, Facing Left
Old Man with a Divided Fur Cap
Old Man with a Beard
Head of an Old Man in High Fur Cap
A Bearded Old Man Leaning His Head on His Hand