Small Study of the Head of the Sick Woman

The Small Study of the Head of the Sick Woman is an intimate and expressive drawing executed by Rembrandt van Rijn between 1647 and 1648. Rendered primarily in ink on paper, this small-scale study exemplifies Rijn’s mastery of spontaneous yet psychologically penetrating draftsmanship during the flourishing Dutch Golden Age. Classified as a preparatory or observational drawing, the work provides a direct look into the artist's technique and his intense focus on human character.

The subject is an unidentified woman, whose features are captured with remarkable sensitivity as she struggles with illness. Rijn utilizes swift, economical lines, likely employing a reed pen, to capture the structure of her face and the expression of fatigue. The careful placement of shading, achieved through subtle cross-hatching and varied line weight, suggests the texture of the cloth wrapped around her head and conveys a sense of depth against the stark background. Unlike his polished oil paintings, this drawing relies on the power of suggestion and minimal means to convey deep emotion.

Created in the Netherlands during the mid-17th century, this piece showcases Rijn’s lifelong dedication to documenting the vulnerabilities and everyday realities of ordinary life, themes often explored in his graphic work and etchings. The drawing is an integral part of the esteemed Rijksmuseum collection in Amsterdam, preserved as a vital record of 17th-century artistic practices. As a historically significant piece, the study frequently enters the public domain, allowing high-quality prints and reproductions to be used for educational and appreciative purposes globally.