Artwork
Virgin and Child in the Clouds
Virgin and Child in the Clouds is an ink print by the Baroque artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1641 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Virgin and Child in the Clouds is a print by Rembrandt van Rijn, created in 1641 using etching and drypoint techniques.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ child, floating in a cloudy sky with animals below, possibly a cow and a sheep, and a nearby basket. The scene is rendered in a loose, expressive manner, with the Virgin wearing a flowing robe and the child clutching an object.
Technique & Style
The print combines sharp lines with softer shading to create depth, achieved through layered etching and drypoint work. The result is a textured, sketchy appearance, suggesting a rapid and expressive study rather than a polished finished work.
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.
