Male nude, seated and standing

The influential Dutch Golden Age master Rembrandt van Rijn created Male nude, seated and standing in 1646. This masterfully executed print on paper showcases two intimate studies of the male form. One figure is depicted seated with his back slightly turned, allowing Rijn to explore the subtle musculature of the torso and shoulders, while the second figure stands fully exposed, emphasizing the natural weight and vertical structure of the human body.

Rijn was a prolific printmaker, treating the demanding medium of etching with the same dedication and gravity as he did oil painting. During the mid-1640s, he frequently explored the technical challenge of rendering volume, weight, and light solely through the complex interplay of lines and cross-hatching. Unlike many contemporaries who idealized classical models, Rijn’s dedication to naturalism provides an authentic and unflinching study of the studio model, offering rare insight into the artist’s process of depicting anatomy for his larger compositions.

This significant example of figure studies from the 17th century is preserved in the esteemed collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. As one of the most recognized and reproduced images from the period, this valuable work by Rijn demonstrates the continuing importance of master prints within the history of art. Today, high-quality impressions of this masterpiece are often accessible through various public domain art initiatives, ensuring that these profound Rembrandt prints remain available for scholarly study and public appreciation worldwide.