Ragged Peasant with his Hands behind him, Rembrandt van Rijn, c. 1630

Ragged Peasant with his Hands behind him, Rembrandt van Rijn, c. 1630

etching, h 91mm × w 68mm More details

Rembrandt derived much inspiration from the figures he came across outdoors. However, he did not etch out on the street. He produced his prints indoors, in his workshop. His observations are no less telling for that fact. Both the beggar couple and the poor wretch with the wooden leg seem to be calling out loud, while the peasant in the middle looks on expectantly.