The artwork entitled “Five studies of Saskia and one of an older woman” was created by the renowned Dutch master Rembrandt in the year 1636. The piece, executed through the medium of etching, is a quintessential example of Baroque art, demonstrating the artist’s skill in sketch and study. Currently, this work is housed at the Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The artwork presents a series of intimate portraits captured with delicate etching lines that showcase Rembrandt’s deft handling of the medium. The central figure, portrayed multiple times, is believed to be Saskia van Uylenburgh, the artist’s wife, who was a frequent subject of his work. Each study varies slightly in expression, angle, and detail, offering a glimpse into Rembrandt’s process of exploring different facets of his subject’s visage. In contrast, the lone study of an older woman situated in the upper left of the composition provides a counterpoint to Saskia’s youthful features, possibly serving as an exercise in capturing the varied textures and contours that come with age. Rembrandt’s signature, located prominently at the bottom center of the etching, adjoins the date of the work’s completion.