Arkivism
Bald headed man in profile right: small bust, the artist's father (?)
Public domain

Bald headed man in profile right: small bust, the artist's father (?)

Rembrandt van Rijn · 1630 · etching; paper

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

The old man in these four little etchings has traditionally been identified as Rembrandt’s father, Harmen Gerritsz van Rijn. Whether this is actually the case remains uncertain, but it is striking that Rembrandt made them all in 1630, the year of his father’s death. He depicts the wrinkled skin so precisely that it is possible that he worked directly on the etching plate while his model sat to him.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description
Credit lineBald-headed Man in Profile. 1630. Rembrandt van Rijn. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.

Similar works