Man in a Coat and Fur Cap Leaning against a Bank

"Man in a Coat and Fur Cap Leaning against a Bank" by Rembrandt van Rijn, dating to 1630, is a masterful example of the artist's early work in printmaking. This small-scale composition is executed as an etching, a medium Rijn embraced frequently during the 1630s for its immediacy and expressive potential. The work falls squarely within the Dutch Golden Age, specifically the period 1601 to 1650, when the young artist was rapidly establishing his reputation in Leiden before his move to Amsterdam.

The print depicts a solitary male figure, heavily bundled in a long coat and a substantial fur cap, leaning casually against a bank or low wall. Though the identity of the figure is unknown, the piece possesses the intense psychological presence characteristic of Rijn’s figure studies. He frequently used himself, family members, or people from his immediate circle as models for these expressive, non-commissioned works, which often align with the genre of the tronie—a study focused on capturing a distinct expression or costume rather than a named individual.

Rijn’s technical skill as an etcher is evident in the dynamic use of line and shadow. The artist employed dense cross-hatching and deep biting of the plate to achieve remarkable variations in tone and texture, emphasizing the heaviness of the garments and the melancholy mood of the subject. This focus on realistic texture and the interplay of light and dark marks a departure from earlier printmaking traditions.

Rijn’s exceptional ability to translate emotion and atmosphere onto the copper plate made his prints highly influential. Because the work dates from the 17th century, high-resolution reproductions of the etching Man in a Coat and Fur Cap Leaning against a Bank are often available in the public domain for study and appreciation. This impression is housed within the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art.