The Man with a Cane (Fragment from the Hundred Guilder Print)

The Man with a Cane (Fragment from the Hundred Guilder Print) is a complex print attributed jointly to Rembrandt van Rijn and the English/Scottish etcher William Baillie. This work exemplifies the exacting detail and dramatic figure studies prevalent in Dutch prints created during the period 1601 to 1650, although the specific fragmentation of the plate occurred later.

The work is executed using a demanding combination of etching with drypoint and engraving on laid paper. While Rembrandt completed the expansive original plate, known historically as The Hundred Guilder Print (Christ Healing the Sick), the creation of this specific fragment is typically credited to Baillie, who was known for modifying, dividing, and sometimes restoring the damaged copper plates of famous masters in the later 18th century. By isolating the figure of the man resting on his cane, Baillie drew focused attention to the profound character study and expressive technique inherent in Rembrandt’s figures.

This highly focused print captures the psychological depth and masterly use of shadow and light characteristic of Rembrandt. The figure, likely a beggar or observer from the larger biblical narrative, is rendered with sensitive detail, his posture suggesting weariness or contemplation. The practice of dividing monumental plates into smaller prints allowed for wider circulation, study, and conservation of individual compositional components, providing later artists and collectors with deeper insight into the techniques employed by the Dutch master. Today, this important fragment resides in the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art, forming a significant record of both Rembrandt’s graphic output and the evolving history of prints and copper plate preservation, many of which now belong to the public domain.