Ragged Peasant with His Hands behind Him, Holding a Stick

The intimate portrait titled Ragged Peasant with His Hands behind Him, Holding a Stick, created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1630, is a masterful early example of the artist’s prolific printmaking career. Executed primarily in etching, with subtle touches of drypoint used to enhance shadows and textures, this small-scale work captures the immediate feel of observational study. This piece belongs to the fertile period of 1601 to 1650, which saw the flowering of the Dutch Golden Age and the rise of genre scenes focusing on common life.

Unlike the grand historical narratives favored by some of his contemporaries, Rijn frequently focused his attention on anonymous figures and the working class. The subject, a ragged peasant standing slightly hunched, his hands held awkwardly behind his back, exemplifies Rijn’s interest in character studies, often referred to as tronies. The stick serves as his sole, simple attribute, emphasizing his humble social standing. The robust line work inherent in the etching technique allows Rembrandt to expertly convey the worn texture of the clothing and the vulnerability suggested by the man’s posture.

The combination of etching and drypoint allowed the artist unparalleled flexibility in rendering tonal variation and depth, techniques he would continue to refine throughout his career. Although diminutive in scale, this work remains a powerful example of Rijn’s ability to imbue everyday Dutch subjects with dignity and psychological presence. As one of many important historical prints held by the institution, this piece resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Because of its age and historical significance, high-resolution reproductions of this image are frequently available for study and reference in the public domain.