Woman at the Bath with a Hat beside Her

The print Woman at the Bath with a Hat beside Her by Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn), dating from 1658, is a pivotal example of the artist's late graphic style during the Dutch Golden Age. Executed using the sophisticated combination of etching and drypoint, this piece demonstrates Rembrandt’s mastery in manipulating the printing plate to achieve rich, atmospheric depth. This specific impression, classified as the second of two known states, notably utilizes plate tone—leaving a thin veil of ink on the plate’s surface—to heighten the effect of shadow and volume, moving far beyond mere line work.

This etching belongs to a series of studies depicting female nudes, a subject Rembrandt explored repeatedly in the 1650s. Unlike the idealized figures favored by his contemporaries, Rembrandt depicts his subjects with an uncompromising and sensitive naturalism. The woman, shown in a moment of private introspection while bathing, is illuminated by a subtle light that models her figure against the dark background. Her contemplative expression and the sensitive rendering of her body through the velvety drypoint burr draws attention to her vulnerability. The titular hat rests beside her, adding a domestic detail that further grounds the scene in reality.

As a late-career work, the etching Woman at the Bath with a Hat beside Her showcases the technical and emotional resonance that defines Rembrandt’s mature output. His dedication to depicting ordinary humanity cemented his legacy as a central figure in European art history. This significant print resides in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it is preserved as an essential reference for the seventeenth-century evolution of printmaking.