A woman making water (1631) by Rembrandt

A woman making water - Rembrandt - 1631

Artwork Information

TitleA woman making water
ArtistRembrandt
Date1631
Dimensions11 x 8 cm
Art MovementBaroque

About A woman making water

The artwork under discussion is a genre painting created by the renowned artist Rembrandt in 1631, during the Baroque period. This piece, titled “A woman making water,” measures 11 x 8 cm and is executed in a manner typical of Rembrandt’s celebrated etching technique, demonstrating his deftness in portraying human figures and everyday life scenes with a remarkable sense of realism and detail.

This etching by Rembrandt presents a candid scene of a woman in the act of urinating in the outdoors, which is an unusually informal subject for art of the Baroque era. The woman is depicted in a squatting position, leaning against a stump, with her garments modestly arranged to maintain a level of decency despite the intimate nature of the act. The background is sparingly detailed, allowing the focus to remain on the figure and her activity. The artwork’s fine lines and careful shading reflect Rembrandt’s skill in rendering texture and form, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow typical of Baroque artistry. Her attire and accessories suggest period-specific dress, presenting an insight into the fashion of the time. With an unembellished and unromanticized portrayal of a commonplace moment, Rembrandt invites the viewer to ponder the various dimensions of human experience, embodying the essence of genre painting by elevating a mundane activity to the realm of fine art.

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