Old Man Shading His Eyes with His Hand

Old Man Shading His Eyes with His Hand is an intimate and masterfully executed etching created by Rembrandt van Rijn Dutch, 1606-1669, dating to the highly productive decade between 1634 and 1644. Classified as a print, this piece exemplifies the artist’s unparalleled skill in intaglio techniques, utilizing the etching needle to achieve rich, dramatic chiaroscuro effects. The work is printed on off-white laid paper, which accentuates the contrast between the figure and the surrounding shadow.

Rembrandt was celebrated during the Dutch Golden Age for his intense focus on human character studies, often utilizing the faces of the elderly or marginalized figures. In this study, the old man’s features are rendered with incredible detail and psychological depth as he raises his hand to shield his eyes, suggesting an instantaneous reaction to a sudden light source or a distant stimulus. The profound use of shadow gives the figure a sense of weight and realism, characteristic of Rembrandt's development during this period as he moved away from the more controlled lines of earlier works.

While many of the artist’s prints served as preparatory studies, the complexity and finish of this piece suggest a standalone exploration of human expression. The emotional weight captured in this single gesture elevates the etching beyond a simple portrait. This important impression is housed within the extensive collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, providing scholars a direct view of the technical genius of the master from the Netherlands. Because of its age and cultural importance, this work is frequently reproduced, allowing its imagery to circulate widely in the public domain, making high-quality prints accessible globally.