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

The artwork, The Artist's Mother Seated at a Table, Looking Right: Three Quarter Length, is a significant etching created by Rembrandt van Rijn Dutch, 1606-1669. Executed sometime between 1626 and 1636, this print showcases the artist’s early mastery of the graphic medium during his formative years in Leiden. The technique employed is etching on cream laid paper, allowing Rembrandt to achieve nuanced atmospheric effects and dramatic contrasts essential for detailing the subject's face and surrounding environment.

The subject is widely identified as Rembrandt’s mother, Neeltgen Willemsdr van Zuytbrouck, a frequent and profound model throughout the artist’s early career. Such intimate studies of family members were crucial explorations into human character expression and the effects of aging, characteristics highly valued in portraiture from the Netherlands during the Dutch Golden Age. This work depicts the seated figure in three-quarter length, emphasizing the heavy drapery of her costume and the texture of her face, capturing a sense of quiet introspection as she gazes slightly to the right.

As an example of the artist's developing skill in printmaking, the etching demonstrates Rembrandt's proficiency in using linear variation to suggest shadow and form. The depth of feeling and meticulous execution secured the print’s renown, establishing it as a key study in 17th-century Dutch realism. The original print resides within the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a celebrated work by 1606-1669, copies of this influential piece are often found within public domain collections, allowing scholars worldwide to study the development of the master’s style.