Rembrandt with Raised Sabre

Rembrandt with Raised Sabre is a highly theatrical and energetic print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1634. This detailed image utilizes the demanding technique of etching, supplemented with touches of burin work to deepen shadows and refine specific contours. The work exemplifies the artist’s early mastery of intaglio processes, allowing him to control the intensity of line and create the dramatic chiaroscuro typical of the Dutch Golden Age.

Though sometimes viewed purely as a study in costume and dramatic light, the piece functions as a self-portrait, capturing Rembrandt in an elaborate and non-contemporaneous guise. He depicts himself as a man of action, defined by the aggressive posture and the large, prominent raised sabre, which instantly draws the viewer's attention. As with many of Rembrandt's portraits, this print captures a momentary psychological intensity, showcasing the expressive capabilities of the etched line to render texture, emotion, and shadow across the face and attire.

Rembrandt was uniquely prolific and innovative in printmaking, often achieving greater psychological depth and intimacy in his etchings than in his oil paintings. The graphic arts provided him a medium for experimentation that defined his reputation among collectors of the period. This specific depiction of the artist as one of the subjects he often rendered—a dynamic figure holding weapons—demonstrates his skill in creating highly desirable prints. Today, the work is part of the extensive collection of European prints at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and reproductions of Rembrandt with Raised Sabre are widely available through public domain print archives.