Sheet of studies of men's heads: old man seen from behind, profile right: half-figure

The Sheet of studies of men's heads: old man seen from behind, profile right: half-figure by Rembrandt van Rijn, dated 1629, is an essential early example of the Dutch Master’s work in the medium of prints. Executed on paper, this preparatory study sheet reveals Rijn’s dedication to mastering human expression and form. The composition concentrates specifically on the features of an elderly model, capturing various angles and emotional states, including a detailed profile and a figure seen from the back, rendered with complex shading and texture.

This work was produced during Rijn’s formative Leiden period, a time when the artist intensively practiced etching and drypoint to hone his skills in rendering chiaroscuro and detail. These study sheets were crucial, serving as visual reference libraries for the expressive faces—or tronies—that would populate his grander biblical and history paintings. The contrast between light and deep shadow achieved on this print highlights the artist’s early adoption of dramatic lighting effects characteristic of the Golden Age.

The technical precision Rijn achieved using the demanding processes of printmaking allowed these small-scale works to be circulated and studied widely, contributing significantly to his burgeoning reputation. Today, this important historic piece, offering unique insight into the artist’s methodology, resides within the extensive collection of the Rijksmuseum. Such foundational prints by Rijn continue to be studied globally, with many high-quality reproductions available in the public domain for academic research.