Landscape with an Obelisk

Landscape with an Obelisk, created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1650, is an exemplary work from the latter half of the artist's prolific career. This significant example of Dutch printmaking was executed using the sophisticated combination of etching and drypoint, techniques Rijn mastered during the period of 1601 to 1650. The interplay of line and tone characteristic of these prints allowed the artist to achieve profound atmospheric effects, shifting from fine, meticulous detail in the foreground to broad, ethereal spaces in the distance.

Rijn rarely depicted specific, recognizable locations in his landscape etchings, preferring instead to construct idealized yet evocative scenes that emphasize mood and the dramatic fall of light. In this piece, the central architectural feature-the titular obelisk-imparts a sense of classical monumentality, dramatically contrasting with the often rugged or humble structures found elsewhere in his oeuvre. The composition employs deep perspective, guiding the viewer’s eye past small, animated figures in the foreground toward the hazy horizon line. The subtle nuances of the drypoint burr create rich shadows and texture in the closest elements, lending a tactile quality to foliage and earth, while the etched lines provide careful structure to the distant sky.

The technical refinement evident in the work highlights Rijn’s continued influence on subsequent generations of graphic artists. The successful use of drypoint, which wears down quickly during repeated printing, suggests that this impression may originate from an early state, retaining the medium’s velvety richness. This important piece of graphic art, reflecting the aesthetic height of 17th-century Dutch mastery, is housed in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. As a major historical work, high-resolution reproductions of the piece are often made available to the public domain for study and appreciation.