Jongeman, zittend en staand

Jongeman, zittend en staand is a compelling figure study created by Rembrandt van Rijn between 1644 and 1648. Classified specifically as a book component within the Rijksmuseum collection, this sheet executed on paper represents the artist's intense focus on human posture and form during the height of the Dutch Golden Age. The subject, a young man, is captured in dual poses: seated and standing. This juxtaposition likely served as a preparatory exercise, enabling Rijn to explore how light and shadow interacted with the figure's drapery and anatomy across different configurations, reflecting the high demands placed on draftsmanship during this period.

The mid-1640s were a highly productive period for Rijn, marked by profound introspection in his depictions of ordinary subjects. While often celebrated for his paintings, his works on paper, such as this figure study, reveal the foundational draftsmanship underpinning his larger projects. The classification of the work as a "Book" suggests that this sheet either originates from a bound collection of studio studies or functioned as a specific illustration within a printed volume, providing valuable insight into the master's teaching methods.

This particular piece resides in the renowned Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, forming part of the museum’s comprehensive holdings of Dutch Golden Age art. The dedication Rijn showed toward capturing subtle psychological states, even in preliminary studies, is evident in the dynamic tension between the seated and standing figures. Today, many of Rijn's important works on paper, including studies related to Jongeman, zittend en staand, are widely disseminated, with high-quality prints frequently entering the public domain for scholarly research and appreciation.