Old Bearded Man in a High Fur Cap, with Eyes Closed

Old Bearded Man in a High Fur Cap, with Eyes Closed is a powerful etching created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1635. This print exemplifies the profound mastery Rijn achieved in the graphic medium during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, specifically within the period of 1601 to 1650. Executed through the technically demanding process of etching, the artist utilized controlled, expressive lines and dense cross-hatching to define form and create a profound sense of texture and atmosphere.

The subject is a character study, focusing intensely on the head and shoulders of an elderly man. He is rendered wearing an exceptionally tall, thick fur cap that dominates the upper portion of the composition, contrasting sharply with the deep shadows surrounding his face. Rijn captures a moment of deep repose or contemplation, emphasized by the subject’s closed eyes and the subtle tension evident in his furrowed brow. This intimate approach elevates the simple study to a psychological exploration, characteristic of the expressive heads the artist produced, sometimes referred to as tronies. The careful handling of light and shadow, a hallmark of Rijn’s style, sculpts the features of the man’s long, flowing beard, highlighting the textures of the hair and the fur.

Dating to the mid-1630s, this work was produced during a period when Rijn was rapidly establishing his reputation in Amsterdam as both a portrait painter and a prolific printmaker. The quality and detail in the line work showcase the artist’s technical skill in etching and his interest in conveying human emotion through subtle gesture. As a surviving example of 17th-century Dutch prints, the work provides valuable insight into the period’s artistic concerns and the rapid development of graphic arts. This historically significant print is currently held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, and high-resolution images of this masterwork are often available for educational purposes, reflecting its status as a classic work of art entering the public domain.