Who painted Old Bearded Man in a High Fur Cap, with Eyes Closed?

Old Bearded Man in a High Fur Cap, with Eyes Closed was painted by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1635.

Where can I see Old Bearded Man in a High Fur Cap, with Eyes Closed?

Old Bearded Man in a High Fur Cap, with Eyes Closed is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Old Bearded Man in a High Fur Cap, with Eyes Closed?

Old Bearded Man in a High Fur Cap, with Eyes Closed is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Old Bearded Man in a High Fur Cap, with Eyes Closed?

Museum-quality prints of Old Bearded Man in a High Fur Cap, with Eyes Closed are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Old Bearded Man in a High Fur Cap, with Eyes Closed

Rembrandt van Rijn , 1635

Old Bearded Man in a High Fur Cap, with Eyes Closed is an ink print by the Baroque artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1635, this work is an etching by Rembrandt van Rijn that depicts an elderly, bearded figure. The print presents the man in a voluminous fur cap that drapes low over his features, his eyes closed and head inclined slightly forward, conveying a moment of quiet introspection.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on the solitary presence of an aged man, his closed eyes suggesting contemplation or repose. The fur cap, rendered with heavy texture, emphasizes both the physical weight of the garment and perhaps the social status associated with such attire in the 17th‑century Dutch context.

Technique & Style

Rembrandt employed the traditional etching process, incising lines into a copper plate that were then inked and pressed onto paper. The resulting marks are bold and uneven, with a pronounced darkness that gives the figure a tactile quality. The loose, scratchy strokes contrast with the smoother finishes of his later works, highlighting a more spontaneous approach.

History & Provenance

The print belongs to the early period of Rembrandt’s printmaking career, a time when he explored the expressive possibilities of the medium. While specific ownership records are limited, the work has been catalogued among his etchings from the mid‑1630s and appears in several major museum collections dedicated to Dutch Golden Age prints.