Saskia with Pearls in Her Hair
1634
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Saskia with Pearls in Her Hair is a 1634 ink by Rembrandt, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows a black-and-white portrait of a woman with curly hair and a ruffled collar. Her face is turned slightly to the side, and her hair is gathered with a few strands falling loose. The lines are scratchy and layered, giving the drawing a textured look. The artist used a technique that lets ink sit in the grooves of the metal plate, creating deep shadows and fine details. This was a way to make the image feel almost three-dimensional. Next, look up etching to see how artists like Rembrandt made prints this way.
