Who painted The Artist's Mother Seated at a Table, Looking Right?

The Artist's Mother Seated at a Table, Looking Right was painted by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1631.

Where can I see The Artist's Mother Seated at a Table, Looking Right?

The Artist's Mother Seated at a Table, Looking Right is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Artist's Mother Seated at a Table, Looking Right?

The Artist's Mother Seated at a Table, Looking Right is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of The Artist's Mother Seated at a Table, Looking Right?

Museum-quality prints of The Artist's Mother Seated at a Table, Looking Right are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Artist's Mother Seated at a Table, Looking Right

Rembrandt van Rijn , 1631

The Artist's Mother Seated at a Table, Looking Right is an ink print by the Baroque artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1631 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Rembrandt van Rijn produced an etching around 1631 that portrays a seated woman, identified as his mother. She occupies a modest space before a table, her gaze directed to the right. The composition balances a light background with her dark attire, creating a clear tonal contrast.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is rendered with careful attention to age, her face marked by wrinkles and a solemn expression. Hands are folded together in front of her, suggesting a contemplative or pious mood. The work conveys a quiet, introspective atmosphere rather than overt narrative.

Technique & Style

Executed as an etching, the piece showcases Rembrandt’s skill in line work and tonal modulation. Fine incisions define the woman's facial features and clothing folds, while broader washes produce the luminous background. The contrast between dark garments and the lighter plane exemplifies his early mastery of chiaroscuro in printmaking.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1631, the etching belongs to the period when Rembrandt was establishing his reputation in Amsterdam. It has been catalogued among his early portrait prints and is held in several public collections, reflecting its continued scholarly interest as a personal and technical study.