A Hawker Showing an Animal in a Cage to a Woman and Her Child

"A Hawker Showing an Animal in a Cage to a Woman and Her Child" is an evocative drawing attributed to the School of Rembrandt van Rijn, executed within the influential period of 1636 to 1670. This masterwork exemplifies the technical prowess of 17th-century Dutch draftsmanship. The artist utilized a complex combination of materials, working primarily with reed pen and brown ink, enhanced by precise applications of pen and subtle gray washes. Further technical interest lies in the verso, which features complementary studies rendered in pen and dark brown ink. Originating in the Netherlands, the piece reflects the widespread interest during the Dutch Golden Age in capturing intimate, everyday genre scenes.

The composition focuses intensely on the interaction between three key figures: the hawker, representing the men of the street trade, and a woman accompanied by her infant. The hawker displays a small animal secured within a cage, drawing the wary attention of the woman. The energy and expressiveness of the figures, particularly the mother shielding her child while observing the curiosity, are rendered through the School of Rijn's characteristic energetic, fragmented line work. This technique, common among followers of Rembrandt, captures the instantaneous quality of the street encounter and emphasizes psychological depth.

The influence of Rijn is evident in the dynamic use of light and shadow, which brings the figures forward and solidifies the drawing's emotional core. This significant historical document is preserved within the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), providing crucial insight into the graphic arts produced in the Netherlands during this era. As the work is recognized as culturally vital historical public domain artwork, high-quality prints continue to be utilized globally for study and appreciation.