The print Bald Man with Open Mouth, Looking Down was executed by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1630. This example of Rijn’s early work is rendered using the combined techniques of etching and burin, methods which require immense precision and control over line. Created during the height of the Dutch Golden Age (1601 to 1650), this piece demonstrates the artist’s intense focus on character study and dramatic human expression, a common preoccupation for him during his Leiden years in the late 1620s and early 1630s.
The subject is captured mid-exclamation or deep reflection, his bald head sharply contrasted against the surrounding shadows. The open mouth and downturned gaze suggest a moment of intense, perhaps private, emotion or shock. Rijn utilized the etching needle to create swift, highly detailed lines, which were often enhanced by the burin for deeper shadow and volume. This precise control over line work allowed him to explore subtle variations in human texture and form even on a small scale, particularly the play of light across the man’s forehead and the deep shadows cast within the mouth. While not a conventional portrait, this highly expressive study belongs to a category of works often known as tronies—character heads designed to showcase an emotional state or an interesting facial type rather than identify a specific sitter.
As a prolific draftsman and printmaker, Rijn treated his prints as a vital, exploratory part of his overall artistic output, often reusing figures or expressions developed in these smaller studies in later, larger paintings. This specific work remains an important artifact from the early career of the famed Dutch master. The piece is classified as a print and is currently held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. As with many significant works from this period, high-resolution reproductions of this image are often made available through public domain initiatives, allowing scholars and enthusiasts to study Rijn's genius in detail.
Important: ArtBee makes no warranties about the copyright status of this artwork. To the best of our knowledge, based on information from the source museum, we believe this work is in the public domain.
You are responsible for determining the rights status and securing any permissions needed for your use. Copyright status may vary by jurisdiction. See our License & Usage page and Terms of Service for details.