View of Diemen

View of Diemen is a significant drawing created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1655. Executed late in the artist’s career, this classified drawing masterfully employs pen and brown ink, augmented by a delicate brown wash to articulate volume and atmosphere. The use of wash to suggest light and shadow, particularly in the landscape genre, was a hallmark of Rijn’s draftsmanship during the height of the Dutch Golden Age. This work falls within the historically rich period spanning 1651 to 1700, defined by innovation in the graphic arts.

The subject focuses on a view of the small village of Diemen, situated near Amsterdam. Rijn frequently sketched the terrain surrounding his city, capturing the characteristic low horizons and intimate settings of the Dutch countryside. In this piece, the combination of precise ink lines delineates architecture, perhaps a distant church spire or cluster of farmhouses, while the broader application of wash conveys the moisture in the air and the open expanse of the sky. The spontaneity of the technique suggests the drawing was executed quickly, perhaps en plein air, capturing a specific moment in time and light.

Rijn’s technical skill in transforming a simple rural scene into a monumental study of light and form underscores why he remains one of the most revered figures in European art history. Drawings such as this were highly valued by collectors in the 17th century, providing insight into the artist’s process separate from his celebrated paintings and etchings.

This exceptional piece is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. The careful preservation of View of Diemen ensures its availability for study. As a historically important Dutch masterwork, and like many works by Rijn, high-resolution images and fine art prints of the drawing are often released into the public domain, allowing scholars and enthusiasts worldwide to appreciate the subtlety of Rijn’s technique and his profound connection to the landscape surrounding his home.