An Oriental is a significant drawing attributed jointly to an Anonymous Artist and the celebrated Dutch Master, Rembrandt van Rijn, dating from the pivotal period of 1601 to 1650. Classified as a drawing, the work utilizes pen and brown ink, complemented by brushstrokes of brown-black ink applied to laid paper. The ambiguity surrounding the creator, evidenced by the dual attribution, speaks to the critical challenges of definitively authenticating early 17th-century works produced within the orbit of highly influential studios.
This piece displays the energetic draftsmanship characteristic of the Dutch Golden Age. The interplay between the precise line of the pen and the broader washes created by the brush establishes volume and shadow, lending the subject a striking, immediate presence. This contrast in application demonstrates a sophisticated control over the medium, allowing the artist to define form while maintaining a sense of immediacy and spontaneity. If the work is definitively connected to Rijn, it aligns with the period when he was actively experimenting with costume and dramatic characterization, often utilizing such sketches as independent studies or tronies rather than traditional portraits.
Although the specific culture of the subject or the precise origin of the drawing remains Unknown, compositions focusing on figures in exotic attire were popular in Northern European art during the first half of the 17th century. The composition of An Oriental provides researchers with valuable insight into the diverse subject matter explored by artists in the time frame of 1601 to 1650. The piece is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, adding a crucial example of Northern European draftsmanship to the Washington D.C. museum’s holdings. Given its age and provenance, this historically important work is often made available in the public domain, allowing for the widespread dissemination of high-quality prints and academic study, further extending the understanding of Rijn’s influence.
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