Rembrandt and His Wife Saskia

Rembrandt and His Wife Saskia

1636

Etching and drypoint on paper

Tryckyta 10,60 x 9,50 cm Papper 11,30 x 9,90 cm

G Q 1113/1911

Gift of Oscar Quensel, 1911

The portrait of Rembrandt with his wife Saskia van Uylenburgh is the only print that shows the two of them together. They are both wearing historical costume, something which was not unusual for Rembrandt, who only twice depicted himself in the fashion of his age. Rembrandt has chosen to place the source of light behind him so that Saskia is illuminated, while his own face, in the foreground, is shadowed to great effect. Saskia has been etched in thin lines. The lines that depict the artist are deeper, emphasizing his importance and presence in the portrait. The print is also the first in which Rembrandt portrays himself as an artist. Here, we see him drawing, which was considered a fundamental skill for a master.

Printed. Prints as collector's items, mass media and showpieces, Göteborg, Göteborgs konstmuseum, 14/03/2020 - 16/08/2020

Kristoffer Arvidsson, Per Dahlström, Björn Fredlund, Anna Hyltze, Philippa Nanfeldt, Isabella Nilsson, Johan Sjöström, Samlingen Göteborgs konstmuseum, red. Kristoffer Arvidsson, Per Dahlström, Anna Hyltze, Göteborgs konstmuseum, Göteborg 2014., p. 66, ill. p. 68 Adam Bartsch, Castalogue raisonné de toutes les estampes qui forment l'oeuvre de Rembrandt, et ceux de ses principaux imitateurs, Alexander Danz, Marchand d'estampes, Leipzig 1880.