The artwork titled “Peasant with his hands behind his back” is a genre painting by the renowned artist Rembrandt, created in the year 1631. It belongs to the Baroque period, a time characterized by dramatic expression and rich, vibrant detail. Rembrandt is highly regarded for his skill in portraying the human condition and for his adept use of light and shadow, which are hallmarks of Baroque art.
In this artwork, Rembrandt captures the essence of a common man, a theme consistent with genre painting which focuses on ordinary life and its subjects. The peasant’s posture, with his hands clasped behind his back, suggests a moment of rest or contemplation. He is turned in profile, allowing the viewer to observe the details of his attire and the expressive lines etched into his weather-beaten face. His clothing is simple and functional, with a patterned garment visible beneath a vest, and a turban-like head covering that rests on his head, which is an unusual and perhaps exotic touch for a European peasant depiction.
Rembrandt’s etching is defined by confident, fluid strokes that outline the form of the peasant and create texture in his clothing. The artist’s signature and the year of the etching’s creation, “RL 1631,” are inscribed in the upper corner, indicating his authorship of this evocative study. The sense of depth and form in this work, despite its monochromatic nature, showcases Rembrandt’s mastery in rendering lifelike figures and his contribution to the Baroque movement.
