Drawing Of A Military Man

An Old Man in Military Costume

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Currently on view at: Getty Center, Museum East Pavilion, Gallery E205

Object Details

An Old Man in Military Costume

65.7 × 51.8 cm (25 7/8 × 20 3/8 in.)

Upper right, by another hand, over original "RHL" monogram: "Rembrandt. f."

Verso: upper left, black stencil: "92D"; upper left, white rectangular label, printed in black: "STEDELIJK MUSEUM DE LAKENHAL / LEIDEN / Tent: Rembrandt als leermeester 1956. / Kunsten: Rembrandt / Titel: / Tent. Cat. no.: 10 / 65 x 51 / Elgenaar: Sir Brian Mountain, Bt., Londen."; upper center, white rectangular label, with beveled corners, written in black: "Rembrandt/ Portrait of Rembrandt's Father / The Property of W.B. Chamberlin / 37 First avenue / Hove"; upper center, white rectangular label, printed in black: "N.B. This Label to be affixed to the back of the frame (not the canvas) of the Picture / Royal Academy Exhibition of the Works of the Old Masters, 1884 / Name of Artist [written:] Rembrandt / Title of Work [written:] 'William Tell' / (Please correct if not properly given) / Name and Address of Proprietor / [written:] Wm Chamberlin Esq / 37 1st Avenue Hove Brighton"; upper right, black stencil: "IS7 GP"; center, white rectangular label, written in black: "Rembrandt / The Property of Wm Chamberlin / 37 First Avenue / Hove / Brighton"; lower center, white rectangular label, printed in black: "N.B. This Label to be affixed to the back of the frame (not the canvas) of the Picture / Royal Academy of Arts / Winter Exhibition, [crossed out:] 1951-52 / 1952/53 / Name of Artist Rembrandt van Rijn / Title of Work Portrait of the Artist's Father / Ser. No. 138 / Name and Address of Owner / Sir Brian Mountain, Bt., Shawford Park, Near Winchester, Hampshire. / (Please correct any particulars not properly given)"

Verso: center left, in white chalk: "Feb. 25"; lower left, in white chalk: "99"; upper right, in white chalk: "44"

Object Description

The subject, who appears in different guises in several other paintings by Rembrandt van Rijn and his contemporaries, wears a plumed hat and metal breastplate. His military costume may symbolize Dutch strength and patriotism during the struggle for independence from Spain. Although he faces front, the man's torso is turned in a three-quarter view; his watery eyes gazing off to the side give the image a sense of immediacy.

Rembrandt deftly captured the contrasting textures of materials: the downiness of the ostrich feather, the velvety softness of the cap, and the smooth coldness of the metal breastplate. The furrowed skin around the bridge of the man's nose, the moistness of his eyes, and the wispiness of his mustache and beard map out the physical process of aging.