Beggar in a High Cap Leaning on a Stick, c. 1630
Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijnexpand_more
Etchingexpand_more
Gift of Ruth and Bruce Daytonexpand_more 2009.71.2
Not on Viewexpand_more
Rembrandt's Beggar in a High Cap Leaning on a Stick takes the work of Jacques Callot as a point of departure. Callot treated similar subjects on similar scale. Rembrandt added reckless energy to the calligraphic line employed by Callot. He provides us with a less sanitized view of the man, while also endowing him with individual humanity. The image appears completely spontaneous and unedited, as though we were looking at a page from Rembrandt’s sketchbook. However, closer observation reveals that he rethought his drawing. Originally the shadow beside the man would have impinged more fully on his form, but the truncated strokes of the zigzag lines tell us that Rembrandt partially masked his work with varnish before biting the plate in acid. In doing so, he released the man from the shadow to increase his monumentality.
Details
- Title
- Beggar in a High Cap Leaning on a Stick
- Artist Life
- 1606–1669
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2009.71.2
- Provenance
- [fragmentary unidentified collectors mark on verso], Bruce Dayton (Wayata, MN)
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Hind 15, Bartsch 162, White/Boon (i of i)
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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