The Artist's Mother in a Cloth Headdress, Looking Down
1633
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Artist's Mother in a Cloth Headdress, Looking Down is a 1633 ink by Rembrandt, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a woman’s face in profile, looking down. Her hair is covered by a loose cloth, drawn with quick, scratchy lines. The paper has a yellowish tint, and the edges are framed by a thin border. Her expression is calm, but the artist’s hand is restless—lines overlap and blur, especially around her hair and collar. This isn’t a polished drawing; it feels like a quick study, full of energy. Want to see how artists like this used simple tools to create deep emotion? Try etching.
