Saskia in Bed

Saskia in Bed by Rembrandt van Rijn, dating to 1635, is an intimate and highly regarded drawing created using chalk on paper. This exceptional work depicts the artist’s wife, Saskia van Uylenburgh, likely sketched directly from life in a casual, domestic setting. The drawing offers a rare, unvarnished glimpse into the private life of the artist and his muse during the peak of the Dutch Golden Age.

Rijn’s utilization of chalk for rapid, expressive lines conveys a profound sense of immediacy and intimacy. Unlike his highly finished oil paintings, this medium allows the artist to focus on the essential contours and the play of shadow on the figure, who is seen resting or sleeping tucked beneath heavy bedding. The composition is simple yet profound, emphasizing the quiet solitude of the moment. This focus on natural, unidealized forms is characteristic of Rijn’s mature style, distinguishing him from his contemporaries in the Netherlands.

Rijn created numerous preparatory studies and personal portraits of Saskia, utilizing drawings both as studies for potential paintings and as deeply personal records of their life together before her premature death in 1642. This piece is widely recognized for its emotional depth and technical skill, capturing the affection Rijn held for his wife. As a crucial example of 17th-century draughtsmanship, this work resides within the esteemed collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. For those interested in studying this masterwork, high-quality reproductions and prints often circulate, many having entered the public domain, allowing broad access to Rijn’s preparatory and personal works.