Staande man met stok, naar rechts

Staande man met stok, naar rechts is a vital early study executed by the celebrated Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn between 1629 and 1630. Created during the artist’s formative years in Leiden, this drawing exemplifies his rapidly developing skill in capturing character and gesture. The medium is complex, utilizing paper that appears to have been coated with a paint layer, over which Rijn applied chalk to define light, form, and shadow. The subject is a full-length standing figure, likely an elderly man, seen facing toward the right edge of the composition and leaning heavily upon a long stick or cane.

This expressive study falls within the rich tradition of individualized observation prevalent in the Netherlands during the height of the Dutch Golden Age. Rijn’s handling of the chalk emphasizes the weighty folds of the figure’s heavy clothing and reinforces his fatigued, slumped posture, bringing an immediate sense of pathos to the image. Drawings such as this served often as foundational pieces for the master’s subsequent oil paintings or widely distributed prints. The study offers crucial insight into Rijn’s mastery of line and composition before his move to Amsterdam. The work is a significant holding in the Rijksmuseum collection, illustrating the critical role of preparatory studies in the artist's output. The accessibility of this piece today, sometimes facilitated through public domain archives, ensures its continued importance for scholars studying the unparalleled draftsmanship of Rijn.