Artwork
Old Man Shading his Eyes with His Hand
Old Man Shading his Eyes with His Hand is a print by the Baroque artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1639 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1946.312
- Credit line
- In memory of Ralph King, gift of Mrs. Ralph King; Ralph T. Woods, Charles G. King; and Frances King Schafer
About this work
Overview
Created around 1639, this print by Rembrandt van Rijn depicts an elderly figure caught in a moment of self‑shielding. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed as an example of the artist’s mature draughtsmanship. Its modest size and intimate subject place it among Rembrandt’s numerous studies of everyday people.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents an old man seated with his back turned toward the viewer. One hand is lifted to block the glare, while the other rests on his knee, and his head leans slightly forward. The gesture suggests a practical response to bright light, yet it also conveys a sense of introspection and the passage of time reflected in his weathered features.
Technique & Style
Executed in a loose, rapid line, the print emphasizes texture through stark contrasts of light and dark. The raised hand is rendered in brighter tones, standing out against a shadowed background, which gives the face a palpable three‑dimensionality. Rembrandt’s use of chiaroscuro here underscores his interest in modeling forms through tonal variation rather than detailed rendering.
History & Provenance
The piece entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the early twentieth century, though the exact path from Rembrandt’s studio to the museum remains undocumented in public records. Its dating to the late 1630s aligns with a period when the artist produced numerous studies that explored human expression and the effects of light.
Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
