The Sleeping Herdsman

The Sleeping Herdsman is an intimate print created by the celebrated Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn between 1639 and 1649. This small-scale composition was executed primarily in etching, with the artist utilizing the drypoint technique to add rich, velvety burr. The interplay of these mediums enhances the contrast and deep shadows inherent in the scene, a hallmark of Rembrandt’s graphic artistry. This classification of print exemplifies the artist's mature skill, showcasing his unique ability to capture emotion and narrative through line and tone.

The subject centers on a solitary figure, presumably a herdsman, who has fallen asleep in a moment of respite near the edge of a wooded area. He is resting beneath the shade of prominent trees, his posture suggesting deep exhaustion. While the title emphasizes the central figure among the men, the surrounding details are crucial; subtle, expressive linework reveals animals resting peacefully nearby, establishing the quiet pastoral setting. Rembrandt often favored these genre scenes during the Dutch Golden Age, presenting common figures engaged in everyday activities, elevating the ordinary through dramatic use of concentrated light.

Unlike some of his grander portraits or history paintings, this particular etching and drypoint print offers viewers a quiet, contemplative moment. The surviving states of these fine prints are highly valued resources for studying the artist’s technical evolution during this crucial period. This impression of the work is proudly held within the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it contributes to the museum’s comprehensive holdings of seventeenth-century Dutch masterworks.