Bust of a Man Wearing a High Cap, Three-Quarters Right (The Artist's Father?)

Bust of a Man Wearing a High Cap, Three-Quarters Right (The Artist's Father?) is an early print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1630. This delicate study exemplifies Rijn's emerging mastery of etching during the early phase of his career in Leiden, showcasing his powerful ability to capture character and emotion in a small format. Created during the dynamic years of the Dutch Golden Age (1601 to 1650), this work focuses intensely on dramatic lighting and physiognomic exploration, a theme central to the artist's developing style.

The subject, traditionally identified as Rijn’s father, Harmen Gerritsz. van Rijn, is captured in three-quarter profile. His head is partially obscured by the shadow cast by an unusually tall, high cap, drawing the viewer's attention to the deeply lined face and focused gaze. Rijn skillfully utilizes the etching medium to achieve striking tonal variations. The lines are tightly packed and precise in the shadow areas and the texture of the cap, contrasting sharply with the illuminated plane of the face. This sophisticated control of line work allows Rijn to render the textures of aging skin and cloth with economical yet powerful detail.

These detailed character studies were instrumental to the Dutch master’s practice, often serving as exploratory tronies, where dramatic expression and varied costume were prioritized over formal portraiture. The proliferation of high-quality prints allowed Dutch artists like Rijn to widely distribute their work among the burgeoning middle class in the 17th century. This particular piece is part of the distinguished collection housed at the National Gallery of Art. The historical importance of Rijn's graphic output endures, and the prevalence of these early prints means that this evocative study is often made available to researchers and enthusiasts through public domain art initiatives.