Angel Standing

Angel Standing is a profound drawing created by Rembrandt van Rijn between 1635 and 1640. This exemplary piece of 17th-century Dutch artistry showcases the artist's masterful draftsmanship during the flourishing period of the Dutch Golden Age (1601 to 1650). The work is executed using pen and brown ink, applied directly over faint traces of charcoal on laid paper, a common yet sophisticated medium favored by the artist for both preparatory studies and independent works.

Rijn’s drawings often reveal the immediacy and dynamism of his creative process. In this depiction, the angel is rendered with swift, expressive strokes, characterizing the figure through definition of volume and posture rather than precise outline. The choice of pen and brown ink, layered over the initial charcoal sketching, highlights the artist's focus on defining spiritual weight efficiently. This technique allows for subtle variations in tone and texture, emphasizing the contemplative attitude of the subject while maintaining the sense of quiet monumentality typical of Rijn's mature style during this decade.

Classified as a pivotal drawing, this piece demonstrates Rijn's continuous commitment to religious and allegorical subjects throughout his prolific career. The subtle handling of the medium captures a moment of poised stillness, perhaps before or after the delivery of a divine message. Its historical and artistic significance is reflected by its preservation within the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. While the original drawing remains a unique object in the NGA, the enduring appeal of the Dutch master ensures that high-quality prints and reproductions of the work are widely circulated, sometimes designated as public domain resources, allowing scholars worldwide to study the rapid, assured hand of Rijn.