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

The Artist's Mother Seated at a Table, Looking Right: Three Quarter Length is a deeply focused etching on white wove paper, executed by a follower or copyist working after the style and subject matter of Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606-1669). Dating from the period between 1626 and 1669, this print belongs to a well-known tradition where the great Dutch master used his mother, Neeltgen Willemsdr. van Zuytbrouck, as a model for probing psychological character studies. The subject is rendered three-quarter length, seated at a table, her face turned right, emphasizing her weathered features and suggesting a profound interiority.

The medium of etching, highly popular in the Netherlands during the 17th century, allowed for the subtle gradations necessary to convey the texture of the subject's skin and the heavy drapery of her costume. Although attributed as being "After Rembrandt," the piece successfully mirrors the master’s characteristic handling of light and shadow. The intense contrast, or chiaroscuro, focuses attention solely on the elderly woman's face and hands, providing a dramatic sense of volume and emotional gravity typical of Rembrandt's finest early figural works.

As an important example of how Rembrandt’s themes and compositions were circulated, this etching reflects the enduring appeal and influence of his genius across Europe. The classification as a print ensures that such works remain accessible for academic study and public appreciation, often becoming available through public domain collections worldwide. This finely preserved impression of The Artist's Mother Seated at a Table, Looking Right is held within the distinguished permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, offering a valuable insight into the cultural and artistic production of the Dutch Golden Age.