The artwork entitled “An Elephant” is a creation by the renowned Baroque artist Rembrandt, completed in the year 1637. This piece is an animal painting, utilizing charcoal on paper as its medium. The dimensions of this artwork are 17.9 x 25.6 cm. Currently, it can be viewed at its home in the Albertina, Vienna, Austria.
The artwork captures the figure of an elephant with remarkable detail and finesse, indicative of Rembrandt’s skillful hand. The charcoal medium allows for a dynamic range of tones, from the deep, rich blacks that highlight the creature’s creased skin to the softer shades that give a sense of the animal’s mass and form. The illustration of the elephant is executed with a sense of immediacy and observation, as it stands prominently, conveying its sheer size and presence. In the background, one can discern faint sketches of human figures, juxtaposed against the elephant to emphasize its scale. Despite the simplicity of materials, the artist’s talent shines through in the lifelike texture and realistic portrayal of this majestic animal, which reflects the Baroque era’s interest in naturalism and the detailed study of life forms.