Artwork
The Artist's Mother with Her Hand on Her Chest
The Artist's Mother with Her Hand on Her Chest 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
The artist used a technique that lets ink fill the scratched lines, making the hair and fabric look fuzzy.
This is a black-and-white drawing of a woman with long, wavy hair pulled back. She’s wearing a high-necked dress and rests one hand on her chest. The lines around her face and hair are rough and textured, almost like tangled threads.
The artist used a technique that lets ink fill the scratched lines, making the hair and fabric look fuzzy. This was made in 1631, and the signature in the corner confirms it’s by Rembrandt.
Next, look up etching to see how this method works.
Overview
The Artist's Mother with Her Hand on Her Chest is an etching by Rembrandt van Rijn, created in 1631. It is a black-and-white print depicting a woman.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is likely the artist's mother, Harmenken van Rijn, shown with long, wavy hair and wearing a high-necked dress. Her hand resting on her chest may convey a sense of introspection or emotional depth.
Technique & Style
The etching technique used by Rembrandt involves scratching lines into a plate, allowing ink to fill the grooves and creating textured, fuzzy effects. The rough lines around the subject's face and hair contribute to the overall expressive quality of the image.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
