Who painted Head of a Bearded Old Man in High Beret?

Head of a Bearded Old Man in High Beret was painted by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1630.

Where can I see Head of a Bearded Old Man in High Beret?

Head of a Bearded Old Man in High Beret is held by Detroit Institute of Arts.

What movement is Head of a Bearded Old Man in High Beret?

Head of a Bearded Old Man in High Beret is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Head of a Bearded Old Man in High Beret?

Museum-quality prints of Head of a Bearded Old Man in High Beret are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Head of a Bearded Old Man in High Beret

Rembrandt van Rijn , 1630

Head of a Bearded Old Man in High Beret is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1630 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work is part of the Detroit Institute of Arts collection and was created in 1630 using oil on oak panel, measuring 57.

The painting shows a man in his later years, marked by a full beard and a distinctive high beret, a visual code often linked to learned or artistic identity in 17th‑century portraiture. Rembrandt’s focus on the sitter’s weathered features and direct gaze underscores a contemplative presence that suggests both the dignity of age and the introspective mood typical of his portrait commissions. The work is part of the Detroit Institute of Arts collection and was created in 1630 using oil on oak panel, measuring 57.2 × 42.5 cm.

Technique & Style

Created in 1630, Head of a Bearded Old Man in High Beret is an oil painting executed on an oak panel support. The artwork measures 57.2 cm in height and 42.5 cm in width. As a portrait, the piece depicts a man distinguished by a beard and a high beret.

The handling of the oil paint on the rigid wood panel establishes the formal qualities of this early work by Rembrandt.

History & Provenance

Head of a Bearded Old Man in High Beret is an oil painting on oak panel created by Rembrandt in 1630. The work depicts a bearded man wearing a high beret and measures 57.2 cm in height by 42.5 cm in width. Currently, the painting is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit.

No specific details regarding the original commission, the artist's creation process, or the ownership chain prior to its arrival at the Detroit Institute of Arts are provided in the available records.

The painting Head of a Bearded Old Man in High Beret is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit. While the specific inventory or accession number is not provided in the available records, the work is cataloged as an oil painting on oak panel created in 1630. The sources do not contain information regarding a history of exhibitions for this specific artwork.

Overview

Created in 1630, this oil painting portrays the head of an elderly man with a full white beard, a dark red beret, and a gold chain with a pendant. Rendered against a muted gray backdrop, the figure looks directly at the viewer with a solemn expression, his textured brushwork conveying a sense of quiet contemplation.

Context

Created during a prolific phase of Rembrandt’s career, the portrait reflects the artist’s interest in character studies and his ability to capture psychological depth. The piece aligns with the broader 17th‑century Dutch tradition of individualized portraiture, which emphasized realism and personal presence.