Artwork
Nude Seated on a Bench with a Pillow (Woman Bathing Her Feet at a Brook)
Nude Seated on a Bench with a Pillow (Woman Bathing Her Feet at a Brook) is an ink print by the Baroque artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1658 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:recto: none; verso: by later hand, upper center in graphite: A2/2RT; very faintly by later hand, lower center verso in graphite: 1803; by later hands, across bottom verso in graphite: 192 / femme nue les pieds da / (not deciphered)[4]107 - mmp(?)
- Markings
- Marked:none
About this work
Overview
Nude Seated on a Bench with a Pillow (also known as Woman Bathing Her Feet at a Brook) is a print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1658, executed in etching and engraving on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a serene, intimate scene of a nude woman seated on a bench, with her feet resting in water and a pillow on her lap, lost in contemplation, conveying a sense of quiet, everyday moment.
Technique & Style
Characterized by dark, expressive scratchy lines, the work showcases Rembrandt's mastery of etching and engraving, particularly in capturing fine details through intense pressure and precise plate carving.
History & Provenance
Created in 1658, specific provenance details are not provided, highlighting the work within Rembrandt's oeuvre of that period.
Context
Reflects the 17th-century Dutch interest in everyday life scenes, yet stands out for its focus on a solitary, introspective figure in a natural setting.
Legacy
Contributes to Rembrandt's reputation for nuanced, emotionally charged depictions of the human form, influencing later artists in capturing quiet, personal moments through printmaking.
Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
