Bust of an Old Man with Flowing Beard: the Head Inclined Three-Quarters Right
Original title: Bust of an Old Man with Flowing Beard: the Head Inclined Three-Quarters Right
kurzbeschreibung
Unlike many contemporary portraits of old men, this 1630 etching by Rembrandt van Rijn relies on the immediate impact of the head: a bearded elder, his head slightly tilted to the right, conceived as a study. The print is the first of two states according to New Hollstein.
Description
The old man's head leans a little to the right, his gaze drifting into the distance. Deep wrinkles line his face, the eyes resting in deep sockets. The lower part of the face almost disappears beneath the dense, flowing beard. A jacket or cloak is only suggested with vigorous strokes. The background remains plain and blurred.
Context
The etching was made in 1630, during Rembrandt's early Leiden period. Character heads of old men served him as practice at the time and also found favor as collectibles. That the sheet survives as the first of two states points to a later reworking. The monogram 'R.L. 1650' was added only afterward and does not match the year of creation.
Impact
What sets this etching apart from related depictions of age is the closeness and directness with which it presents old age. The fine hatching creates a lively surface that makes the sitter's character palpable. The tilt of the head and the absent gaze give the portrait a thoughtful, dignified air.
Technique
The lines of this etching were incised into an etched plate. Parallel hatching and cross-hatching produce tonal values and depth. The plate measures 9.7 × 8.1 cm, the sheet 10.3 × 8.4 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)