Sick Woman with a Large White Headdress (Saskia)

Sick Woman with a Large White Headdress (Saskia) is a profound and intimate etching on paper created by Rembrandt van Rijn Dutch, 1606-1669, executed around 1640-1650. This piece exemplifies the technical mastery the artist achieved in printmaking during the Dutch Golden Age in the Netherlands. Rather than merely documenting a figure, the work uses the etching process-with its capacity for subtle, velvety lines-to explore psychological depth and human vulnerability.

Although often identified as the artist's wife, Saskia van Uylenburgh, the print was likely created either just before or shortly after her death in 1642, or references sketches made during her period of decline. The subject is depicted in profile, her head enveloped by a voluminous white linen headdress that dominates the composition and draws attention to the somber downturn of her mouth and lowered gaze. Rembrandt expertly uses light and shadow, characteristic of the era, to imbue the fragile figure with quiet dignity and emotional realism.

The meticulous detail in the rendering of the fabric contrasts sharply with the shadowed interior, reinforcing the sense of isolation and illness. Unlike many of his contemporary works, this piece foregoes overt narrative drama, favoring an intense focus on the sitter's inner state. This celebrated etching is classified as a print within the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a cornerstone example of Rembrandt's profound contributions to the medium. As a major work by the Dutch master, high-resolution images of this etching are frequently shared and accessible through public domain initiatives worldwide.