The First Oriental Head

Rembrandt van Rijn and Studio of Rembrandt van Rijn after Jan Lievens

National Gallery of Art

The etching depicts the upper portion of a man's body, mostly from the shoulders up. The man is positioned facing slightly to the right but looking directly at the viewer. He has a weathered face with deep wrinkles and prominent cheekbones. His expression appears contemplative. His hair is short and sparse on top, with a slight fringe on his forehead. He wears a cloak with a fur collar, buttoned at the front, and a beaded chain hangs around his neck. The background is simple, composed of cross-hatched lines and a plain, textured surface that accentuates the figure. Above the man's head, the etching is signed with "Rembrandt. Perrettus" and the year "1635" handwritten in a cursive style.