Artwork
The Skater
The Skater is an ink print by the Baroque artist Rembrandt. It dates from 1639 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created around 1639, this print combines etching with drypoint to portray a lone figure gliding on ice.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1639, this print combines etching with drypoint to portray a lone figure gliding on ice. The composition is anchored by a stark, light‑toned background that isolates the skater, emphasizing his movement and attire typical of mid‑17th‑century Dutch dress.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures a moment of everyday recreation: a man, hat tipped back, coat and breeches, balances on a single blade while gripping a staff in his right hand. The extended left leg and bent right knee convey forward momentum, suggesting both the physical skill and the leisure pursuits of the period.
Technique & Style
Rembrandt’s hand is evident in the fine, incised lines of the drypoint that define the skater’s outline, while broader etched areas render the smooth expanse of ice. The contrast between sharply rendered figure and the softened background demonstrates his mastery of tonal variation within printmaking.
History & Provenance
The piece belongs to Rembrandt’s early print oeuvre, produced during a prolific phase when he explored genre scenes of Dutch life. Though specific ownership records are limited, the work has been catalogued among his known prints and appears in major collections of 17th‑century graphic art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (15 July 1606 – 4 October 1669), known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
Old Beggar Woman with a Gourd
Ragged Peasant with His Hands behind Him, Holding a Stick
A Young Man with a Staff
Polander Leaning on a Stick
Beggar Leaning on a Stick, Facing Left
Peasant with His Hands behind His Back
Man Crying Out, Three-Quarters Left
Bust of an Elderly Man in a Flat Cap
Man in a Short Cloak
The Quacksalver
Beggar Woman Playing the Violin
Sheet of Etchings