The Artist's Mother with Her Hand on Her Chest

The Artist's Mother with Her Hand on Her Chest by Rembrandt van Rijn is an evocative etching created in 1631, dating squarely within the productive period of the Dutch Golden Age (1601 to 1650). This print exemplifies Rijn's early mastery of the etching medium, where he focused intensely on character studies and emotional depth. During this pivotal time, the young artist frequently used his immediate family, especially his mother, Neeltgen Willemsdr. van Zuytbrouck, as models, often for expressive tronies or heads used for study.

The work focuses solely on the figure of the artist’s mother, capturing her aged features and contemplative mood. She is shown in three-quarter profile, wrapped in heavy garments, her hand resting gently but deliberately on her chest. This specific, tender gesture suggests perhaps piety, infirmity, or deep introspection. Rijn utilized the etching needle to create delicate yet complex tonal variations, allowing the deep lines and heavy cross-hatching to define shadow and volume, contrasting sharply with the illuminated face. The resulting high contrast and intense observation are typical of the best early Dutch works of the period.

As one of the many studies and prints Rijn produced that documented the human condition, this small-scale portrait has historical value far exceeding its size. It belongs to a series of domestic studies that provided a foundation for the larger, more ambitious portraiture that would define the rest of his career. The National Gallery of Art holds this important original print within its permanent collection. Due to its age and stature, high-quality images of this etching are frequently available to the public domain collections globally, ensuring continued access to this defining piece from the 1630s. The detail and pathos captured in the study confirm Rijn’s developing reputation as a master draftsman just as he was establishing himself in Amsterdam.