Girl with a Basket

Girl with a Basket is a detailed etching created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1642. This small-scale print exemplifies the artist's masterful command of the intaglio technique during the height of the Dutch Golden Age. Dating from the 1640s, the work showcases the remarkable tonal complexity and psychological depth Rijn was able to achieve using only metal plates and acid.

Throughout the middle years of his career, Rijn frequently explored studies of common people in his graphic works. While the identity of the sitter in this piece remains unknown, the focus on an ordinary female figure engaged in simple labor places it within the tradition of character studies, known often as tronies, that were increasingly popular in 17th-century Dutch art. The subtlety of the line work, typical of the 1601 to 1650 period, suggests a rapid, observational approach, capturing the texture of the cloth, the weight of the basket, and the contemplative expression of the subject.

Rijn treated etching as seriously as painting, continually innovating in the medium. The depth and tonal range he achieved in these small prints demonstrate his innovative use of the drypoint needle to refine areas of shadow and texture after the initial acid bath. This meticulous technique allowed him to imbue his subject matter, however humble, with profound dignity. As one of the preeminent printmakers of his era, Rijn ensured his compositions could be widely distributed across Europe.

This historically significant piece is preserved within the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Due to its age and enduring art historical importance, this work is frequently cited as a key piece in the artist's graphic oeuvre, with high-quality impressions often entering the public domain for academic study and appreciation of the master’s technique.