Bald Headed Man in Profile Right: The Artist's Father (?)

The etching Bald Headed Man in Profile Right: The Artist's Father (?) by Rembrandt van Rijn Dutch, 1606-1669, is a study of character and expression created around 1630. Executed in the challenging medium of etching on paper, this small-scale portrait captures an older, bald man turned sharply to the right. The subject's identity is uncertain, though the parenthetical query suggests he may be Rembrandt’s father, Harmen Gerritszoon van Rijn. The Dutch artist was deeply engaged in creating such expressive head studies, often referred to as tronies, during this prolific early period of his career.

In this work, Rembrandt utilizes fine etched lines and dramatic contrast to render the texture of the subject's skin and the details of his profile. Created while the artist was transitioning between Leiden and Amsterdam, this piece demonstrates the growing technical sophistication that defined Rembrandt's prints. These intense studies were critical exercises, allowing the artist to explore human psychology and dramatic lighting without the constraints of a formal commission. The high production quality of prints during the 17th-century Netherlands allowed artists like Rembrandt to disseminate their experimental works widely among collectors.

Dating from a period when Rembrandt was exploring various print techniques, the etching is a prime example of the innovative draftsmanship that secured his reputation. The image remains widely referenced for its technical precision and emotional depth. This important work is classified as a print within the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, making the image widely available in the public domain for research and appreciation globally.