Artwork
Old Man with Fur Coat
Old Man with Fur Coat is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1645 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1645, this oil on canvas presents an elderly figure rendered with the subtle chiaroscuro characteristic of mid‑17th‑century Dutch painting. The composition isolates the sitter against a deep, muted background, allowing the illuminated features of his face, hands, and fur‑trimmed coat to dominate the visual field. The work is part of the Gemäldegalerie’s collection in Berlin.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts a bearded man in a dark fur mantle, topped by a black hat and accented with a gold chain at his throat. His gaze is directed beyond the picture plane, lending an air of contemplation or introspection. The solemn expression and aged features suggest an emphasis on the dignity and inner life of the individual rather than any specific narrative.
Technique & Style
Fine brushwork captures the sheen of the fur and the delicate folds of the hat, while broader, softer strokes convey the enveloping darkness of the backdrop.
Executed in oil, the painting employs Rembrandt’s hallmark handling of light and shadow to model the subject’s facial planes and textured fabrics. Fine brushwork captures the sheen of the fur and the delicate folds of the hat, while broader, softer strokes convey the enveloping darkness of the backdrop. The realistic rendering reflects the artist’s focus on psychological depth through meticulous detail.
History & Provenance
The canvas was produced during the Dutch Golden Age, a time when Rembrandt was renowned for his portrait commissions. After remaining in private hands for centuries, the painting entered the Gemäldegalerie Berlin’s holdings, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s representation of 17th‑century Dutch art.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
