Sheet of studies, with a woman lying ill in bed: busts of two male figures

The Sheet of studies, with a woman lying ill in bed: busts of two male figures is a sensitive and immediate graphic work created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1639. Classified as a Print, this piece was executed in ink on paper, reflecting the artist’s characteristic dedication to preliminary drawing and observational sketching during the Dutch Golden Age. The composition is divided, juxtaposing the narrative intimacy of a domestic scene with the analytical study of form.

The central focus captures the prone figure of a woman, likely ill, situated in her bed. Rijn renders her condition with economical but effective strokes, emphasizing the vulnerability and solitude associated with sickness. Surrounding this scene, appearing almost detached from the central drama, are the concentrated studies of two male busts. Rijn often utilized such composite sheets to rapidly capture various subjects or facial expressions, which served as vital visual resources for later, more elaborate paintings or etchings. This combination underscores the exploratory and experimental nature of the work, where the function shifts between narrative illustration and focused character study.

The skillful application of ink, defining contours and suggesting three-dimensional form with minimal effort, is characteristic of Rijn’s refined draughtsmanship. As a significant example of 17th-century Dutch graphic arts, this study contributes greatly to the understanding of the master’s creative methodology. The original drawing resides in the distinguished collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Given the importance of the artist, high-quality prints and digital reproductions of this public domain artwork are widely disseminated, ensuring that Rijn’s preparatory works remain accessible for scholarly study worldwide.