Three Studies of Old Men’s Heads

Rembrandt van Rijn, c. 1630

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.

  • Artwork typeprint
  • Object numberRP-P-OB-780
  • Dimensionsheight 105 mm x width 85 mm
  • Physical characteristicsets, kaderlijn met pen in bruin

Identification

  • Title(s)

    • Three Studies of Old Men’s Heads
    • Three studies of old men's heads
  • Object type

  • Object number

    RP-P-OB-780

  • Inscriptions / marks

    collector's mark: Lugt 240

  • Catalogue reference

    • Bartsch 374-1(1)
    • Hollstein Dutch 374-1(1)
    • New Hollstein Dutch and Flemish (Rembrandt text) 59-1(1)

Creation

  • Creation

    • printmaker: Rembrandt van Rijn
    • after design by Rembrandt van Rijn
  • Dating

    c. 1630

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    ets, kaderlijn met pen in bruin

  • Dimensions

    height 105 mm x width 85 mm


Acquisition and rights


Documentation


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