The Old Bearded Man in a High Fur Cap, with Eyes Closed 1630 - 1640

Rembrandt van Rijn created this etching of an old bearded man, sometime in the mid-17th century in the Netherlands. At this time, printmaking was on the rise as a popular art form. In this work, Rembrandt employs the etching technique to create a portrait. We see the artist’s interest in the human condition and the representation of emotion. During the Dutch Golden Age, there was a growing merchant class, a development that led to an increased demand for portraiture. The institutions of art, such as the Guilds and the artist's own studio, played an important role in artistic production. Rembrandt challenged artistic norms, often portraying everyday people and exploring themes of aging and mortality, which can be seen as a reflection on Dutch society. To truly understand the art of this period, historians rely on archival documents, guild records, and the study of artistic techniques to contextualize the artwork within its socio-economic and cultural environment.