The Rat-catcher, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1632
etching, h 140mm × w 125mm More details
This rat-catcher dovetails seamlessly with the scores of beggars and tramps portrayed by Rembrandt in his early years. At that time, they were always depicted as individual figures, but here he combines three in a narrative scene. The nature of what the man is selling is clear from the rats accompanying him. Moreover, the revulsion of the owner of the house receiving the merchandise says it all.
