Sheet with Two Studies: A Tree, and the Upper Part of the Head of the Artist Wearing a Velvet Cap

Sheet with Two Studies: A Tree, and the Upper Part of the Head of the Artist Wearing a Velvet Cap by Rembrandt van Rijn Dutch, 1606-1669 is an exceptional example of the artist’s command over the graphic arts. Executed as an etching on cream laid paper sometime between 1639 and 1649, this working print demonstrates the innovative techniques characteristic of the Netherlands during the height of the Dutch Golden Age.

The spontaneity inherent in the etching process was ideal for capturing the immediate, observational quality seen here in these two distinct, unrelated studies. The composition features, on one side, a highly detailed image of a tree, showcasing Rembrandt's ability to render the natural world with varied line weight and textural precision. The delicate cross-hatching and use of white space lend atmosphere and light to this landscape fragment. The other study focuses intimately on the upper portion of a face, recognized as a self-portrait fragment of the artist wearing his distinctive velvet cap. This study provides a glimpse into Rembrandt’s lifelong fascination with capturing human expression.

Such exploratory sheets reveal the artist's working methods and his constant experimentation, combining disparate subjects onto a single plate. During this period, Rembrandt was perhaps the most prolific and technically brilliant creator of prints in Europe. Unlike unique paintings, etched prints facilitated the widespread dissemination of his images, allowing his technical brilliance to be known far beyond his home in the Netherlands. This important piece, which combines figure and landscape studies, resides in the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, preserving the masterwork of the 1606-1669 artist for scholarly access and public viewing.