Rembrandt (1606-1669) painted this masterly portrait of an old man in 1667 when he was almost at the end of his artistic career. It demonstrates that Rembrandt's artistic progress reached its greatest maturity in the later years of his life. The paint is vigorously applied, but at the same time, conveys a visible nonchalance. Light and shade are subtly introduced and the bemused expression of the subject is keenly observed. The man in this portrait fills the entire canvas, his left arm and right hand even disappearing from sight behind the frame. As a result, the viewer concentrates wholly on the subject. There is nothing to divert his attention. Suggestions have been mooted in the past that the canvas has been reduced in size, but recent research has shown that the original span edges are still visible, hence proving that this is the original format.

Portrait of an elderly man is on display at the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague.

Source: Mauritshuis Museum, The Hague.