Male Nude Seated and Standing

Male Nude Seated and Standing is an important print created by Rembrandt van Rijn Dutch, 1606-1669 between 1641 and 1651. This study was executed using the delicate etching technique on ivory laid paper. Originating from the Netherlands during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, the work reflects the period’s intense focus on anatomical drawing and the study of the human form, which was crucial for developing the skills required for complex history painting.

The work presents two distinct perspectives of the same male model, likely executed either as a direct study from life or as instructional material for students in his prolific Amsterdam workshop. On the left, the figure is shown seated in a relaxed pose, the musculature defined by the precise network of etched lines that create subtle tonal gradations. On the right, the same model is captured standing, offering a second, more dynamic anatomical view that showcases 1606-1669's masterful command over light and shadow.

Rembrandt was one of the foremost innovators in European printmaking during the seventeenth century. His dedication to mastering etching expanded the artistic possibilities of the medium, allowing him to achieve highly painterly effects in these smaller, reproducible works. This meticulous handling of the etching needle enables sophisticated variations in texture, defining the contours of the body while leaving the background sparsely defined, directing the viewer’s full attention toward the figure studies themselves.

This specific impression of the print is housed within the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a significant example of 17th-century figure drawing and Male Nude Seated and Standing printmaking, the work highlights Rembrandt's enduring legacy as a draftsman. Today, high-resolution scans of these historical prints are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread access to the technical brilliance of the master printmaker.