Reclining Female Nude

Reclining Female Nude is a profound and intimate print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1658. This exceptional late-period work demonstrates the Dutch master’s technical virtuosity, combining the spontaneous lines of etching with the rich textures provided by drypoint and the deliberate precision of engraving. The impression is pulled on fine japan paper, a subtle choice that enhances the depth of the blacks and the contrast within the delicate rendering of the subject.

The piece captures a nude female figure, possibly modeled after a common woman of Amsterdam, reclining amidst drapery in an interior setting. Unlike the idealized forms popular in Renaissance and Baroque traditions, Rembrandt depicted his female nudes with an unflinching naturalism and humanity. The heavy use of drypoint gives a characteristic burr to the lines, creating a velvety shadow that emphasizes the strong chiaroscuro and concentrates attention on the figure’s relaxed pose. The print’s classification as the second of six states attests to Rembrandt’s continuous experimentation and refinement of his copper plates.

Rembrandt’s vast production of prints allowed him freedom to explore subjects beyond the dictates of portraiture and history painting. This graphic approach to the human form distinguishes his work within the Dutch Golden Age. The celebrated impression is held in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Through his mastery of the etching medium, Rembrandt ensured his intimate works, such as Reclining Female Nude, would be reproduced, and today, high-resolution prints of this seminal 17th-century artwork are frequently accessible via the public domain.