The Artist's Mother Seated at a Table, Looking Left: Three Quarter Length

The artwork The Artist's Mother Seated at a Table, Looking Left: Three Quarter Length by Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn) is a masterful example of 17th-century Dutch etching, executed sometime between the broad dates of 1631 and 1669. This compelling portrait depicts an elderly woman, traditionally identified as Rembrandt’s mother, seated at a table and captured in a moment of quiet introspection. As a print, the work demonstrates the Dutch master’s innovative approach to the etching medium, utilizing fine line work and varied pressure to define texture and create dramatic chiaroscuro effects, a technique highly characteristic of the period.

Throughout his career, Rembrandt frequently turned to his mother as a subject, generating a moving and psychologically rich series of portraits. These intimate studies of women allowed the artist to experiment continuously with expression, light, and surface detail without the demands of a traditional commission. The subject is rendered with profound empathy, emphasizing the soft definition of her aged face and the rough textures of her garment. Such works contributed significantly to the genre of portraits within the Dutch Golden Age.

This particular state of the print resides in the distinguished collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The detail and psychological depth achieved through the careful handling of the copper plate confirms Rembrandt’s reputation as one of history's great printmakers. Given the artwork's age and historical importance, high-quality public domain versions of these seminal Rembrandt prints are widely available for scholarly study and general appreciation.