Beggar Woman Leaning on a Stick
1646
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Beggar Woman Leaning on a Stick is a 1646 ink by Rembrandt, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a tired-looking woman leaning on a wooden stick. She’s dressed in a long, loose robe with a hood pulled over her head, and her hands clutch a bundle at her side. The lines are rough and scratchy, making her clothes look textured and her face slightly blurred. The artist used a technique that lets ink fill the carved lines, creating a grainy, almost sketchy effect. This wasn’t meant to be polished—it feels more like a quick study than a finished work. Next, check out etching, drypoint, aquatint to see how artists like Rembrandt made prints like this.
