The Artist's Mother with Her Hand on Her Chest

The Artist's Mother with Her Hand on Her Chest by Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn) is an evocative etching that stands as a testament to the artist’s groundbreaking approach to portraits, particularly those of older women. Although Rembrandt perfected the medium of etching during the mid-17th century, this impression, classified as a fine art print, is dated to the later period of 1720-1775, indicating the lasting value and continued reprinting of his copper plates well into the following century.

The work is a deeply personal study, likely depicting the artist’s mother, Neeltgen Willemsdochter van Zuytbroeck, a frequent and beloved subject in the artist’s extensive catalog. The composition focuses intimately on the subject's face and posture. The woman is shown with a reflective gaze, her hand placed purposefully on her chest—a gesture that lends the image psychological weight and profound tenderness. This emphasis on interiority distinguishes Rembrandt’s portraits from the more formal commissions of his era.

In executing The Artist's Mother with Her Hand on Her Chest, Rembrandt utilized his distinctive mastery of line work to control the interplay of light and shadow, defining texture in the aging skin and the folds of the heavy garment. As a result of the printmaking process, numerous examples of this scene exist, allowing the study of this masterwork across various institutions. This particular example of high-quality early prints is held in the expansive collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and reproductions of the work are often available through public domain resources, ensuring accessibility to the genius of Rembrandt for scholars and enthusiasts worldwide.