Artwork
Reclining Female Nude
Reclining Female Nude 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: in plate, in image, at lower left: Rembrandt f. 1658;
About this work
Overview
Created in 1658, this print by Rembrandt van Rijn depicts a solitary female figure reclining on her side. Executed on Japan paper, the work combines etching, dry‑point, and burin work, resulting in a monochrome image where the figure’s sinuous form is set against a deep, indistinct background.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a nude woman whose gently curving body suggests the motion of a wave, emphasizing the natural grace of the human form. The absence of narrative detail and the focus on the figure’s posture invite contemplation of the body’s inherent elegance rather than a specific story.
Technique & Style
Rembrandt employed a layered approach: broad etched lines establish the overall silhouette, while dry‑point creates fine, velvety burrs that render subtle tonal shifts. The burin was used for sharper incisions, adding contrast in the darker zones. This mixture of smooth and ragged textures produces a nuanced play of light and shadow without the use of color.
History & Provenance
The print belongs to the later period of Rembrandt’s career, when he increasingly explored complex printmaking methods. It is catalogued among his mature works and has been held in several public collections, reflecting the artist’s enduring interest in the expressive possibilities of the intaglio medium.
Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
