Who painted Study of an Old Man in Profile?

Study of an Old Man in Profile was painted by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1630.

Where can I see Study of an Old Man in Profile?

Study of an Old Man in Profile is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Study of an Old Man in Profile?

Study of an Old Man in Profile is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Study of an Old Man in Profile?

Museum-quality prints of Study of an Old Man in Profile are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Study of an Old Man in Profile

Rembrandt van Rijn , 1630

Study of an Old Man in Profile 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 Statens Museum for Kunst. Created in 1630, this oil painting presents a solitary elderly figure seen in strict profile.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Created in 1630, the piece functions as an exploration of human physiognomy and the visual qualities of age through the artist's oil technique on panel.

The work depicts a single male figure shown in profile, serving as a study of an elderly man. Classified as a tronie, the painting focuses on the expression and character of the subject rather than presenting a specific, named individual. Created in 1630, the piece functions as an exploration of human physiognomy and the visual qualities of age through the artist's oil technique on panel.

The subject is rendered with attention to the contours of the face and the texture of the skin, typical of Rembrandt's early studies of character types. The composition isolates the figure to emphasize the psychological and physical traits of the old man, aligning with the genre's purpose of capturing distinct facial expressions and types.

Technique & Style

Created in 1630, the work is an oil painting executed on a panel support. Classified as a tronie, the piece presents a portrait study of a man in profile, focusing on the expression and features of an elderly subject. The handling of the medium captures the formal qualities of a character study rather than a formal commissioned portrait. The physical dimensions of the panel measure 195 cm in height and 160 cm in width.

History & Provenance

Study of an Old Man in Profile is dated to 1630, as indicated by the work’s inscription and stylistic analysis. The painting has been part of the Statens Museum for Kunst’s collection in Copenhagen, where it is currently housed. Executed in oil on panel, the work exemplifies the tronie genre that Rembrandt frequently explored during this period.

The sources do not record any earlier owners, commissions, or alterations to the panel prior to its arrival at the museum.

The painting is held by the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, where it is inventoried as KMS3579.

It was exhibited at the Statens Museum for Kunst in 2006 as part of the exhibition Rembrandt – maleriets magi (Rembrandt – The Magic of Painting).

Overview

Created in 1630, this oil painting presents a solitary elderly figure seen in strict profile. The work belongs to the oeuvre of Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, a central artist of the Dutch Golden Age, and is part of the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst.