Ragged peasant with his hands behind him, holding a stick

The influential Dutch Master Rembrandt van Rijn created the print titled Ragged peasant with his hands behind him, holding a stick around 1630. This compelling early work on paper showcases the artist's dedication to capturing ordinary life during the Dutch Golden Age. The piece is categorized simply as a print, demonstrating Rijn's emerging skill in graphic media outside of painting. The subject stands hunched, his worn clothing and posture conveying a palpable sense of hardship and introspection, qualities that characterize many of Rijn's contemporaneous character studies.

During the 1630s, Rijn frequently explored the depictions of marginalized individuals, moving away from idealized classical forms and toward expressive realism. This dedication to the common man contrasts sharply with the high-society portraiture that dominated much of the period. The peasant, depicted with his hands bound or clasped behind him and holding a distinct stick, suggests a figure encountered on the street or observed in a moment of quiet dejection. In this piece, the handling of shadow and fine line work is precise, typical of the subtle intensity that defines Rijn's graphic output. This study in humanity demonstrates why Rijn is considered one of history's most compelling printmakers. Today, this work is permanently housed within the renowned collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, and as an early example of Dutch Golden Age prints, it often falls under public domain status, allowing widespread scholarly study and reproduction.