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

Beggar in a high cap, standing and leaning on a stick is a characteristic early print by Rembrandt van Rijn, dating from 1629. This intimate work, executed on paper, showcases the artist’s burgeoning skill in etching during his formative years in Leiden, before his celebrated move to Amsterdam.

The subject is a solitary figure, likely a pauper or street vendor, depicted with empathetic realism that was unusual for the time. The beggar is shown in worn clothing, leaning heavily on his staff for support, his posture suggesting age and exhaustion. He is defined by the unusual, tall cap that lends the piece its descriptive title. Rijn’s application of line is precise, creating strong contrasts between deep shadows and highlighted areas of the figure’s face and cloak. This early exploration of chiaroscuro demonstrates the foundational techniques that the artist would later employ to revolutionary effect in his paintings and later printmaking series.

During the Dutch Golden Age, artists frequently created character studies, often of the aged, the infirm, or the poor, using them as exercises in expressive pose and observation. This piece fits within that tradition, offering a psychological intensity that elevates the image beyond a mere genre sketch. The technical proficiency visible in the delicate rendering foreshadowed the complex etching techniques Rijn would perfect over the following decades. This significant example of early Dutch prints is housed in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it serves as a key document in understanding the initial stylistic development of Rijn. Today, this artwork, along with many others from the collection, is frequently accessed by researchers and the public domain for study and appreciation.