Old Woman with a Baby in her Arms

The intimate drawing Old Woman with a Baby in her Arms was created between 1640 and 1646 by the School of Rembrandt van Rijn. This designation signifies that the work emerged from the circle of artists closely associated with the great Dutch master, demonstrating a strong stylistic and thematic connection during the height of the Golden Age in the Netherlands. Classified as a drawing, the work utilizes pen and brown ink, masterfully layered with wash in three distinct shades of brown and gray. This sophisticated application of monochrome media allows for the subtle modulation of light and shadow, defining form and texture with remarkable efficiency—a technique deeply influenced by Rijn’s emphasis on chiaroscuro.

The drawing captures a tender, poignant moment between two figures: an elderly woman and an infant. The subject matter—the domestic portrayal of common women and infants—was highly favored by the Rijn studio, often serving either as preparatory studies for larger oil paintings or as independent finished works for collectors. The central figure holds the baby close, her expression conveyed through rapid, assured strokes of the pen, particularly evident in the details of her face and hands. The application of the wash serves to build volume and atmosphere, emphasizing the texture of the garments and the soft, vulnerable form of the child nestled in her arms.

Reflecting the profound influence of Rijn on 17th-century draughtsmanship, this piece stands as an important example of Netherlandish observational art. The work is housed in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it contributes to the museum's significant holdings of Northern European drawings from the era. Due to its historical significance and current location, this piece, along with many other important Dutch artworks, is often available as high-quality prints through public domain resources, ensuring broad access to the technical brilliance demonstrated by the School of Rijn during this period.