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 by Rembrandt van Rijn is a deeply expressive etching dating from the period 1626-1636. This early work showcases the artist's burgeoning skill in printmaking, a medium Rijn would elevate throughout his career. Created during the height of the Dutch Golden Age in the Netherlands, this piece reflects a common practice of the time: using family members as models for intense studies of expression and texture.

The subject, traditionally identified as Rijn's mother, is shown seated and gazing to the right, rendered with a remarkable economy of line typical of the etching technique. The artist utilized the precise nature of the print process to capture the fine details of her aging face, head covering, and clothing, employing dramatic contrasts of light and shadow that define the figure's volume. Such observational prints were central to Rijn’s early artistic development, allowing him to experiment with light effects and emotional depth before applying these findings to his oil paintings.

This particular image belongs to a series of prints Rijn executed depicting elderly figures, which often served as preparatory studies or independent character pieces, known historically as tronies. This early 17th-century work is categorized as a vital piece in the history of Dutch etching and stands as a testament to the artist's mastery of the medium. This superb example of the influential Dutch artist’s output is preserved within the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.