Old Man with a Divided Fur Cap

Old Man with a Divided Fur Cap is a significant print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1640. This masterful portrait study was executed using the demanding technique of etching, enhanced with delicate drypoint work to deepen the shadows and soften the contours of the subject. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this impression, which represents the first state out of the two known states, showcasing the artist’s initial approach to the copper plate before subsequent revisions.

The work belongs to Rembrandt’s extensive series of character studies of older men, frequently executed in the 1630s and 1640s, which solidified his reputation as a master of psychological portraiture. The subject is depicted in near-profile, wearing the eponymous fur cap that is divided down the center, lending the image a distinct visual and textural element. Unlike commissioned portraits, these print studies often allowed Rembrandt freedom to explore the profound expressiveness found in aging faces and humble attire, utilizing the strong contrasts provided by the etched line to create dramatic light effects.

Rembrandt was renowned for elevating the art of prints through his technical innovation and expressive use of line, making him a central figure in 17th-century Dutch art. This compelling study of a sitter is carefully preserved within the vast collection of European prints at The Met. As a work from the height of the Dutch Golden Age, this valuable print by Rembrandt is often digitized and available for scholarly study through the public domain, allowing global access to its high-resolution images.