Old Man with a Gold Chain

This painting, dated to around 1631, is an early example of Rembrandt's character studies. The old man is depicted wearing a gold chain, a steel gorget, and a plumed beret, suggesting an honored military career. The painting highlights Rembrandt's use of costume and rich, subtle lighting to create a dramatic effect. The face of the old man is that of a real person, conveying pride and humanity. This work is part of the Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Kimball Collection at the Art Institute of Chicago

Head of an Old Man in a Cap

This work, created in the late 1620s, is a tronie, a type of character study that Rembrandt and Jan Lievens pioneered in Leiden. The old man is shown with a furrowed brow and downy beard, illuminated directly from above, which suggests an active inner life. The painting focuses on the exploration of light, emotion, and the human face, characterized by thick, unblended strokes and scratches made into the paint to convey details like eyebrows

Portrait of an Old Man (The Old Rabbi)

Painted in 1665, this portrait is from the later part of Rembrandt's career. It depicts an elderly man, possibly identified as Rabbi Saul Levy Morteira, with a detached and pensive expression. The painting emphasizes the psychology of the old man, using textured colors and a dark background to create a sense of deep contemplation. This work was once transferred to Paris during the Napoleonic era and later returned to Florence

Bust of a Bearded Old Man

This small, monochromatic oil sketch, dated to around 1633, is Rembrandt's smallest known painting and the only grisaille in private hands. The old man is depicted with his head turned sharply and eyes cast downward, conveying a sense of life and emotional energy. The use of grays and browns, along with ocher and white accents, captures the subtleties of form, light, and shade. This work is notable for its visual power and masterly technique in evoking the inner life of the subject