Artwork Page for Rembrandt and His Wife Saskia

Details / Information for Rembrandt and His Wife Saskia

Rembrandt and His Wife Saskia

1636

Rembrandt van Rijn

(Dutch, 1606–1669)
Culture
Netherlands
Medium
etching
Measurements
Sheet: 10.5 x 9.2 cm (4 1/8 x 3 5/8 in.); Matted: 49.1 x 36.2 cm (19 5/16 x 14 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland 1959.81
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

This self-portrait is the only one in which Rembrandt showed himself with his young wife, Saskia. Both figures appear in formal attire and directly meet the viewer’s gaze. To represent himself, Rembrandt deeply etched the copper plate to create dark and decisive lines, as seen below his collar and on his left wrist. He etched Saskia’s image more lightly, with faint lines that situate her in the composition’s background. Rembrandt may have drawn the image at least in part while sitting in front of a mirror.
A vertically oriented print in black ink depicts Rembrandt and Saskia, both with light skin tones. In the foreground on our right, Rembrandt wears a wide-brimmed plumed hat and dark coat. Looking toward us, he holds a stylus over a surface. To his left, Saskia sits behind him wearing a ruffled cap. Densely etched lines create heavy shadows throughout. Inscribed "Rembrandt f 1636" in the upper left.

Rembrandt and His Wife Saskia

1636

Rembrandt van Rijn

(Dutch, 1606–1669)
Netherlands

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