Virgin and Child in the Clouds
1641
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a woman holding a baby, both floating in a cloudy sky. She wears a loose, flowing robe, and the baby clutches a small object. Below them, two animals—maybe a cow and a sheep—stand on grass, with a basket nearby. The lines are rough and layered, giving the scene a textured, almost sketchy look. The artist used a technique that mixes sharp lines with softer shading to create depth. This isn’t a polished painting—it feels like a quick, expressive study. Next, check out etching, drypoint, aquatint to see how artists like Rembrandt made prints like this.