Man in Oriental Dress (1635)

Man in Oriental Dress (1635)

Rembrandt (1606-1669)

Man in Oriental Dress
1635
Oil on panel, 72 x 54.5 cm
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Rembrandt plays with light in a singular manner. Here it floods the man’s turban and the right side of his face like a powerful spotlight. The left side remains in shadow. Such character-like heads – not portraits – were popular in the 17th century. Called ‘Turkish tronies’, they were widely copied and imitated from an early date. (RIJKS)