Rembrandt van Rijn
c. 1640
Medium
chalk, pen and ink, brush and wash on sheet trimmed with gold paper
Dimensions
overall (lunette): 18.2 x 13.2 cm (7 3/16 x 5 3/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Rosenwald Collection
Accession Number
1943.3.1503
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
In the intimate world of 17th-century Dutch art studios, Ferdinand Bol, a talented pupil of Rembrandt van Rijn captured his master's likeness in this exquisite drawing around 1640. Titled simply *Rembrandt van Rijn the work showcases Bol's admiration for his mentor during Rembrandt's prolific Amsterdam years, when the master was revolutionizing portraiture with dramatic light and psychological depth. This small lunette-shaped sheet, measuring just 18.2 x 13.2 cm, was elegantly trimmed with gold paper, suggesting it was prized as a personal study or gift. Bol employed a masterful mix of techniques—black chalk for subtle modeling, pen and ink for precise lines, and brush with wash for rich tonal contrasts—echoing Rembrandt's own innovative approach to drawing. These methods allowed for a lifelike rendering of Rembrandt's thoughtful expression and textured attire, blending observation with artistic flair typical of the Rembrandt school. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Rosenwald Collection (Department CG-E), this drawing offers a rare glimpse into the collaborative spirit of Rembrandt's workshop, where pupils like Bol honed skills that would shape Dutch Golden Age art. Visitors will appreciate its delicate scale and the historical bridge it forges between teacher and student.
About the Artist
Ferdinand Bol · 1616–1680
As a very young man, Bol moved to Amsterdam, where he worked under the direction of Rembrandt, with whom he formed a friendship. Comment on works: Religious; History; Portraits