The Persian

Unknown artist

1632

ets

Rijksmuseum

A full-body etching depicts a stout man wearing a fur-trimmed hat with a feather, a fur-lined cloak, and fringed trousers, holding a walking stick. He stands in a landscape with sparse vegetation. Already in the 18th century this print was known as ‘het Persiaantje’ (the little Persian), because the man’s clothing was perceived as having Oriental features. However, it is not genuine Iranian costume. Although Rembrandt lavished attention on rendering the fabrics, it remains an imaginary, pieced together outfit. This is actually a tronie, but then a full-length one.