standing man, slightly stooped, leaning with both hands on a walking stick; wearing tall cap with bulbous top and long wraps or cloaks; shadow at left

Beggar in a High Cap Leaning on a Stick, c. 1630

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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standing man, slightly stooped, leaning with both hands on a walking stick; wearing tall cap with bulbous top and long wraps or cloaks; shadow at left