Who painted Man in a Broad-Brimmed Hat?

Man in a Broad-Brimmed Hat was painted by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1638.

Where can I see Man in a Broad-Brimmed Hat?

Man in a Broad-Brimmed Hat is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Man in a Broad-Brimmed Hat?

Man in a Broad-Brimmed Hat is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Man in a Broad-Brimmed Hat?

Museum-quality prints of Man in a Broad-Brimmed Hat are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Man in a Broad-Brimmed Hat

Rembrandt van Rijn , 1638

Man in a Broad-Brimmed Hat is an ink print by the Baroque artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1638 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The subject's gaze is directed toward the right, and his expression appears serious and contemplative.

Man in a Broad-Brimmed Hat is an etching by Rembrandt van Rijn created in 1638. The work portrays a male figure in three-quarter profile, distinguished by a large, wide-brimmed hat that casts a deep shadow across the upper portion of his face. The artist employs a loose, expressive handling of the burin to render the texture of the hat and the ruffled collar, contrasting these areas with the more defined lines of the coat and buttons.

The subject's gaze is directed toward the right, and his expression appears serious and contemplative. This piece belongs to a significant series of etched heads and character studies Rembrandt produced during the late 1630s, a period marked by his intense exploration of light, shadow, and human psychology. Rather than depicting a specific historical figure, the work functions as a study of character and costume, typical of the artist's interest in capturing the fleeting effects of light and the individuality of his sitters through rapid, confident mark-making.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is shown in a ruffled collar and a buttoned coat, his right shoulder partially turned toward the viewer. His gaze looks to the right, and the expression carries a restrained seriousness, suggesting contemplation or a moment of quiet resolve. The hat’s shadow further isolates the face, emphasizing inner thought over external detail.

Technique & Style

Executed in etching, the piece employs a limited tonal range, with the darkest inks reserved for the hat and coat and lighter washes for the background. Rembrandt’s handling of line and wash creates a subtle gradation of tone, allowing the figure’s form to emerge from the surrounding darkness while retaining a sense of depth and texture.

History & Provenance

The print dates to 1638, placing it within Rembrandt’s prolific early career when he was refining his approach to portraiture in print form. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work is recognized as part of the artist’s extensive oeuvre of etchings that circulated among collectors in the Dutch Golden Age.