REMBRANDT VAN RIJN (LEIDEN 1606-AMSTERDAM 1669)
A Rabbi with a Cap
Dated 1635Oil on panel | 72.6 x 62.3 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 405519
This type of character head was common in Dutch art – they called it a tronie, meaning something like ‘mug-shot’. In this case Rembrandt’s model is from Amsterdam’s Jewish community. He uses the format to explore costumes and expressions for his Old Testament subjects. He employs a looser style of painting than would have been appropriate for his commissioned portraits at this time.