Nude Seated on a Bench with a Pillow (Woman Bathing Her Feet at a Brook)

Nude Seated on a Bench with a Pillow (Woman Bathing Her Feet at a Brook) is a significant print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1658. This late-period work exemplifies the technical refinement Rijn achieved in his graphic output, combining the detailed linework of etching with the heavier application found in engraving, executed specifically on vellum. Created during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, specifically within the period of 1651 to 1700, the piece showcases the artist’s enduring fascination with the unidealized human form in intimate, domestic settings.

Unlike works printed on traditional paper supports, the utilization of vellum in this impression allowed Rijn to achieve extremely rich, dark tones and a velvety appearance in the etched lines. This specialized medium significantly enhanced the visual drama and depth of the composition. Rijn depicts a woman, likely preparing for or completing a bath, seated on a low bench supported by a large cushion. The figure is modeled using powerful contrasts between light and shadow, demonstrating Rijn’s masterful handling of chiaroscuro. The background environment is minimal but clearly rendered, forcing the viewer’s attention squarely onto the seated nude, whose pose is casual and profoundly human rather than classically idealized. This approach was characteristic of Rijn’s later graphic works, emphasizing psychological introspection and realism over academic polish.

As a vital piece within the history of prints, this depiction reflects a distinct Dutch cultural emphasis on realism during the mid-seventeenth century. Although Rijn faced financial difficulties in the 1650s, his artistic output remained consistently powerful, often focusing on subjects that allowed for intense exploration of light and texture. This particular impression of Nude Seated on a Bench with a Pillow (Woman Bathing Her Feet at a Brook) is preserved in the National Gallery of Art collection, representing a crucial example of the prolific Dutch master's printmaking legacy. As a masterpiece of graphic art from this era, the work has been widely studied, and its imagery, due to its historical status, is often available through public domain collections.