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Rembrandt Etching: Old Man with a Divided Fur Cap (Bartsch 265)

Close-up of a framed Rembrandt etching of a bearded older man wearing a tall split-brimmed fur cap, dated 1640. - view 1
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Estimated value

$15,000 - $45,000

Rarity

Very Rare(8/10)

Type

Museum Object

Era

1640

Origin

🇳🇱 Netherlands

Artist / Creator

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn

Authenticity

Moderate(65%)
2

REMBRANDT ETCHING: OLD MAN WITH A DIVIDED FUR CAP (BARTSCH 265): ORIGINS & SIGNIFICANCE

An exquisite intaglio print, specifically an etching with drypoint, depicting a bearded 'tronie' subject wearing an elaborate split-brimmed cap and fur-trimmed cloak. The sheet is housed in a modern conservation-grade mat and frame. Most critically for authentication, the raking angle photograph clearly reveals the physical plate mark—the distinct bevel and indentation where the copper matrix was pressed into the dampened paper under high pressure. The upper left corner bears the distinct signature 'Rembrandt f. 1640'. The impression shows excellent tonal contrast, with the deeply bitten, heavily cross-hatched lines of the cloak juxtaposed against the more delicate, lightly etched lines used to render the face and beard.

GRAPHIC ECHOES

Where This Object Echoes

Italian Renaissance15th-16th Century

The elevation of the printmaker from craftsman to primary artist, echoing the earlier innovations of artists like Mantegna and Dürer.

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

  • •The 'Print Room' connoisseurship tradition, where wealthy collectors would keep prints in folios, bringing them out for intimate viewing and discussion among peers.

Meaning Through Time

19th Century

With the etching revival, Rembrandt's prints transitioned from highly collected curiosities to the absolute gold standard of printmaking mastery.

PRINT LINEAGE

Created during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, this etching exemplifies Rembrandt van Rijn's mastery of the medium. The subject is a 'tronie'—not a commissioned portrait, but a character study of an interesting face or expression, often dressed in exotic or historical costumes from the ...
Created during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, this etching exemplifies Rembrandt van Rijn's mastery of the medium. The subject is a 'tronie'—not a commissioned portrait, but a character study of an interesting face or expression, often dressed in exotic or historical costumes from the artist's vast prop collection. Rembrandt elevated etching from a reproductive craft to a primary artistic medium, utilizing techniques like 'stopping out' and drypoint to achieve painterly effects, atmospheric perspective, and spontaneous, sketch-like immediacy that profoundly influenced the history of printmaking.

PRESS SECRETS

1

During his lifetime, Rembrandt's international fame was driven almost entirely by the wide circulation of his etchings, not his paintings, which rarely left the Netherlands.

2

This specific print is highly catalogued in the printmaking world as 'Bartsch 265,' referring to the foundational 1797 catalogue raisonné by Adam Bartsch that codified the numbering of Rembrandt's graphic works.

PAPER & INK

Surface

The visual surface is defined by the crisp topography of an authentic intaglio strike. The ink sits distinctly within the fibers of the sheet, exhibiting a velvety matte finish without the flat, dot-matrix regularity of photomechanical reproductions. The paper itself appears to be a robust, high-quality antique rag stock.

Weight & Feel

While structurally lightweight, early 17th-century handmade cotton and linen rag paper possesses a remarkable physical density and tensile strength capable of withstanding the extreme pressure of the intaglio press.

Condition

The impression is visually superb, supporting the museum context provided. The margins extending beyond the plate mark are generous—a highly prized attribute, as early collectors often aggressively trimmed margins. There is no visible acute foxing, mat burn, or severe toning visible under the framing glass.

HOW SCARCE IS IT?

Very Rare95-98%
CommonLegendary

Museum-quality consideration with documented examples tracked by specialists. Appear at auction perhaps once a year.

Typical Characteristics

  • Museum-quality consideration
  • Tracked by specialists
  • Auction house highlight pieces

PRINT SPECIALIST'S TAKE

Paper Conservator & Print Specialist

Print Expert

Strong identification of the exact bibliographic reference (Bartsch 265) and visual confirmation of authentic intaglio properties through the plate mark. However, definitive differentiation between a $30,000 lifetime impression and a $2,000 posthumous strike dictates a cap on confidence without hands-on testing.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Pronounced plate mark framing the image, proving use of an intaglio copper plate press.
  • 2Correct orthography and dating ('Rembrandt f. 1640') for State II of this specific etching.
  • 3Variable ink deposition and intricate cross-hatching typical of Rembrandt's idiosyncratic needle work.
  • 4Generous, untrimmed margins visible beyond the plate line.

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •Cannot differentiate between a lifetime strike and an early posthumous 18th-century strike without unframing to check watermarks.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Remove from frame to examine the paper under transmitted light for watermarks (e.g., Foolscap or Strasbourg Lily) which date the paper stock.
  • →Compare the specific line wear (states) against the New Hollstein catalog to determine stringently whether it was pressed during Rembrandt's lifetime.
  • →Observe under 10x magnification to confirm presence or absence of rich drypoint burr.

PRINT MARKET VALUATION

$15,000 - $45,000

Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Who buys this

Advanced old master print collectors, institutional museum buyers, and serious connoisseurs of the Dutch Golden Age.

What increases value

  • •Confirmation as a lifetime impression (struck by Rembrandt himself or under his supervision).
  • •Retention of wide margins outside the plate mark.
  • •Strength of the impression (early strikes exhibit sharper contrast and rich, velvety blacks).

What lowers value

  • •Identification as a posthumous strike (e.g., printed by Watelet or Basan in the 18th/19th century) heavily deflates value.
  • •Hidden conditional issues (acidic backing boards, hidden tears, or hinge damage) only visible once unframed.

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Identifiable 17th-century watermarks on the paper.
  • •Retained 'burr' (the ragged edge of copper turned up by the drypoint needle that catches extra ink, which wears down rapidly after a few dozen prints).

Grade & condition

Completeness of the margins, severity of foxing or toning in the paper, sharpness of the printed lines, and absence of center folds or mat burn.

Rarity & demand

Very RareHigh demandSpecialist market
Browse similar prints objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

CONTEXT ANALYSIS

How your provided context compares with Curiosa.com scanner findings.

What Aligned

  • User's identification of 'Rembrandt' and '1606-1669' flawlessly matches the 'Rembrandt f. 1640' signature and the visual styling of Bartsch 265.
  • The 'Original/Authentic' claim is visually corroborated by the distinct physical plate mark and variable lineweight, confirming it is a genuine intaglio print.

What Conflicted

  • User describes condition as 'Mint'; however, in paper conservation, absolute 'mint' is generally reserved for works untouched by natural environmental exposure, though this piece is undoubtedly in exceptional preservation.

FROM THE CABINET OF

The Collector

The Collector
Relic Hunter•68 items

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