Old woman sleeping

Old woman sleeping is an intimate print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1636. Executed on paper, this work exemplifies the artist's masterful use of line and shadow in the printmaking medium, likely drypoint or etching. The piece captures an elderly woman slumped forward, completely lost in slumber. Rijn focuses intently on the textures of her wrinkled face and the folds of her simple garment, rendering the scene with profound empathy. This kind of unidealized study of common life was characteristic of the Dutch Golden Age art, contrasting sharply with the grand historical narratives favored elsewhere in Europe.

Throughout his career, Rijn frequently explored the psychological depth of his subjects, even in humble, everyday settings like this. The rapid, expressive lines utilized in the print create a powerful sense of form and volume, while the absence of a detailed background ensures the viewer’s attention remains solely on the sleeping figure. This sensitive approach gave his prints an immediacy and vitality that were highly sought after by collectors in the 17th century.

Today, this delicate piece is held in the renowned collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it contributes to their extensive holdings of 17th-century Dutch masterworks. As a significant example of Rijn’s graphic output from the period, the original work and high-quality prints derived from it are often referenced by scholars, and the image is widely accessible through public domain initiatives.