Old Man with a Divided Fur Cap

Old Man with a Divided Fur Cap is a powerful print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1640, a period when the artist had reached his technical peak in intaglio printmaking. This work exemplifies the artist's masterful handling of the medium, combining the subtle precision of etching with the richer, velvety lines characteristic of drypoint. By utilizing both techniques, Rijn achieves remarkable textural depth, particularly in the rendering of the divided fur cap, which contrasts sharply against the shadowed background.

Executed during the Dutch Golden Age, the print showcases the keen psychological insight and attention to detail that defined Rijn’s mature career. The subject is likely a character study, or tronie, rather than a formal portrait, capturing the specific mood and texture of age. The deep lines etched into the man’s face, combined with the dramatic light and shadow effects, contribute to the profound sense of realism achieved by the artist.

As one of the most prolific and celebrated artists from the Netherlands, Rijn frequently explored common figures and unique costume studies, circulating these detailed prints to a wide audience. The classification of the work as a print highlights its reproducibility, which contributed significantly to the artist's fame across 17th-century Europe. Due to the historical age and cultural importance of the artwork, high-quality images of this piece often enter the public domain, allowing for broad access to Rijn’s technical genius. This impression of Old Man with a Divided Fur Cap is housed in the distinguished collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.