Beggar in a high cap, standing and leaning on a stick

"Beggar in a high cap, standing and leaning on a stick" is an early print by Rembrandt van Rijn, dating to 1629. Created on paper, this piece exemplifies the young artist's emerging mastery of intaglio techniques during the nascent stages of the Dutch Golden Age. While the precise technique is not always specified for these early works, the careful definition of line and control of shadow highlight Rijn's foundational approach to graphic arts, showcasing his immediate skill as a printmaker.

The subject is typical of the genre scenes Rijn explored in Leiden during this period: a marginalized figure depicted with stark realism. The beggar is shown standing, leaning heavily on a stick, conveying vulnerability, exhaustion, or infirmity. The titular high cap draws attention to the figure’s head, making the work function both as a full figure study and a psychological portrait. Rijn frequently turned his attention to the common people and street life, using their worn features and expressive poses to explore the depth of the human character and condition, a characteristic that would define his career.

These influential early prints demonstrate Rijn's ability to create remarkable depth and texture using minimal means. This important work remains housed in the prestigious collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, where it forms part of the institution’s comprehensive holdings of 17th-century Dutch master prints. Because of its age and cultural significance, high-quality images of works like Beggar in a high cap, standing and leaning on a stick are frequently made available through the public domain, ensuring scholars and enthusiasts worldwide can access and study Rijn's influential graphic output.