Bearded old Man with high Forehead

One of his early small portraits, predating a whole series of depictions of bearded, elderly men (see lots 80, 81 & 82), this very rare print betrays the influence of Rembrandt's pupil Jan van Vliet on his own etching style. In those years, the two young men collaborated closely in their efforts to set up a printing workshop. Van Vliet seems to have brought a more formal training in etching into the partnership, and etched in a more controlled and disciplined way than his more unconventional master. Here Rembrandt used a rather heavy, dense hatching pattern that is typical for van Vliet on the coat and hat of the sitter, while the face shows the delicacy of draughtsmanship and sensitivity of observation only Rembrandt himself was capable of.