Seated Female Nude

The intimate drawing Seated Female Nude by Rembrandt van Rijn Dutch, 1606-1669, dates from the artist's late period, circa 1660-1662. This profound drawing exemplifies the technical complexity and emotional depth Rembrandt achieved near the end of his career. The work was executed primarily using pen and brown ink combined with brush and brown wash on ivory laid paper, showcasing the master’s fluency in the medium. A critical aspect of the technique involves subtractive highlights, where the artist scraped away the ink to define form and direct the light source. He also incorporated touches of opaque white watercolor for subtle corrections and enhanced luminosity. The original paper sheet is currently laid down on cream laid card for preservation.

Created during the Dutch Golden Age in the Netherlands, this piece reflects Rembrandt's characteristic focus on the naturalistic, unidealized representation of the human body. The figure is rendered with an unflinching realism that conveys both vulnerability and dignity, contrasting sharply with the classical traditions popular across Europe. Unlike some of his commissioned portraits or popular prints, this figure study offers a glimpse into the artist's private practice and his continuous investigation into human form. The masterful balance of dark washes and scratched highlights effectively models the volume and texture of the skin. This exceptional example of a late-period drawing is proudly held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, contributing significantly to the understanding of this important seventeenth-century Dutch artist.