Old Man with a Divided Fur Cap

Old Man with a Divided Fur Cap by Rembrandt van Rijn, dating to 1640, is a masterful example of the artist's dedication to printmaking during the peak of the Dutch Golden Age. This piece utilizes the demanding media of etching, enhanced by subtle drypoint work, allowing Rijn to achieve unique textural complexity and rich tonal variation in the finished impression. The meticulous handling of line and shadow creates a graphic quality that sets this work apart from other character studies of the period.

The print depicts an anonymous elderly man, heavily draped in a long coat, wearing a highly distinctive, possibly theatrical, divided fur cap. Rijn focuses intensely on the man’s face, emphasizing the deep wrinkles and the weary, concentrated gaze, suggesting this work functions as a tronie—a study of character, rather than a commissioned portrait. The technical mastery is evident in the contrast created by the interplay of acid-bitten lines and the softer, velvety burr characteristic of the drypoint technique. This combination effectively conveys the texture of the rough fur and the deep, atmospheric shadow beneath the cap’s brim.

The year 1640 marks the height of the artist’s mature period in Amsterdam, when Rijn was actively experimenting with different states and papers to achieve variation in his numerous etched portraits and figure studies. This detailed study showcases his ability to imbue a simple subject with emotional and narrative weight. The precision utilized in this etching exemplifies the quality expected of master Dutch works created during the period spanning 1601 to 1650. This important impression of Old Man with a Divided Fur Cap is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a key reference for scholars studying Rijn’s output of prints. As a key graphic work, it is increasingly accessible to the public domain, securing Rijn’s enduring legacy as a preeminent figure in art history.