Turbaned Soldier on Horseback

Turbaned Soldier on Horseback by Rembrandt van Rijn Dutch, 1606-1669 is an early, dynamic print created between 1624 and 1634. This work is executed using the demanding technique of etching on paper, classifying it as a key early example of the artist’s prolific printmaking career. The period this piece was made marks Rembrandt’s formative years in Leiden before his major move to Amsterdam, where he refined his innovative approach to the etching medium.

The subject shows a soldier mounted on a horse, characterized by his distinctive turban. Such figures demonstrate the 17th-century fascination in the Netherlands with figures of foreign or dramatic costume, often used by the artist to study expressions and character types. The energetic quality of this etching suggests immediate movement, setting it apart from some of Rembrandt's later, more meditative works. The artist's early command of the etching needle allowed him to rapidly capture detail and shadow, pushing the boundaries of the medium while precisely detailing the textural differences between the soldier's drapery and the horse's musculature.

This impressive example of early Dutch printmaking is currently held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As one of the most widely studied prints from Rembrandt's career, the composition and technique continue to inspire artists and researchers. Owing to the historical importance of the work and its original state as a print on paper, images of Turbaned Soldier on Horseback are often made available through public domain resources, ensuring broad access to the masterful works of this influential Dutch artist.