Ragged peasant with his hands behind him, holding a stick

The Print Ragged peasant with his hands behind him, holding a stick was created by the Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn around 1630. Executed on paper, this piece is classified as a print, likely an etching or drypoint, demonstrating Rijn's rapid development in the graphic arts during his Leiden period. The subject is a compelling study of a marginalized figure, a frequent motif in the artist’s work intended to capture the reality of 17th-century Dutch street life.

The composition focuses tightly on the peasant’s form. His hands are obscured behind his back, creating a sense of resignation or contemplation, while the stick he holds serves as a simple accessory of his wandering life. Rijn utilizes stark contrasts and precise hatching, characteristic of his early printmaking, to emphasize the textures of the peasant’s ragged clothing and the weariness etched into his face. Such character studies, often viewed as early precursors to his famous tronies, allowed Rijn to experiment with dramatic lighting and psychological depth on a small scale, transforming a simple observation into a poignant human portrayal. The focus on common individuals was a significant shift in Dutch Golden Age art, reflecting a broader interest in contemporary society.

This significant example of Dutch Golden Age graphic work is securely held in the prestigious collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The continued study of Rijn's technique through such prints is vital for understanding his mastery of observation and line work. Furthermore, due to its age and historical importance, high-quality reproductions of this masterwork frequently enter the public domain, ensuring global access to Rijn’s distinctive observational style.