Male nude, seated and standing

The etching Male nude, seated and standing by Rembrandt van Rijn, dating from 1646, represents a significant example of the artist's dedication to figure drawing and anatomical study. Executed on paper, this print showcases the fluidity and expressive line work characteristic of Rijn’s mid-career printmaking. The composition presents the model in two distinct poses: seated, viewed largely from the back, allowing for a detailed exploration of musculature and posture; and standing, demonstrating a different perspective on the human form. Such intensive studies, often drawn directly from life models, were essential exercises for artists mastering the human figure during the Dutch Golden Age.

Rijn approached printmaking not merely as a means of reproduction but as an expressive medium equal to painting. The etching technique, often supplemented with drypoint, allowed him to achieve subtle variations in shadow and tone, though applied with less dramatic contrast than his famous oil work. These focused studies provided crucial foundational material for the figures populating his larger biblical, historical, and mythological scenes. The delicate handling of light and shadow elevates this piece beyond a simple exercise, marking it as a celebrated example of Rijn’s graphical output. This significant print resides in the renowned collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. As a work created in the seventeenth century, high-quality images of Rijn’s masterful prints are often made available for study and reference through public domain initiatives worldwide.