Self-Portrait in a Heavy Fur Cap
1631
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a person wearing a thick fur cap pulled low over their forehead. The lines are loose and quick, almost like scribbles, especially in the hair and fur. The face has a serious look, with dark shading around the eyes and mouth. The artist used a technique called drypoint—scratching directly into the metal plate to create rough, textured lines. This made the fur look fuzzy and the face feel expressive. Next, check out etching to see how artists like Rembrandt made prints like this.
