Self-Portrait in a Cap: Laughing
1630
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a man wearing a cap, his face turned slightly away. His hair is wild, his beard full, and his mouth is open like he’s laughing or talking. The lines are loose and quick, almost scratchy—like the artist drew fast, catching his mood. The paper has a rough texture, and the lines vary in thickness, giving it a raw feel. This is an etching, a printmaking method where the artist scratches into a metal plate. Next, check out etching to see how artists like Rembrandt used this technique.
