Old Man with Divided Fur Cap

Description

An old man appears in a frontal bust, a tall divided fur cap rising in two points above a long pale beard. Rembrandt gives the unnamed figure a distinctive silhouette through this unusual headwear. Light hatching allows the face and beard to remain readable without a densely worked setting, concentrating attention on the contrast between the cap’s shape and the man beneath it.

Made in 1640 with etching and some drypoint, the print concentrates attention on the sitter’s appearance rather than a richly furnished environment. The distinctive cap helps establish a recognizable silhouette, while the face provides a quieter focus within it. Rembrandt gives an unnamed person individuality through observed features, allowing the small portrait to remain engaging through the contrast between face, beard and headwear.

Read our guide to giclée prints or browse the Rembrandt collection.