Sheet of Slight Studies, One of Two Peasants, Rembrandt van Rijn, c. 1651
etching, printed on Japanese paper, h 45mm × w 74mm More details
The bottom prints are among Rembrandt’s very first attempts at etching. They are not particularly skilfully etched, and their printing leaves much to be desired. They were not pulled in large numbers. In fact, both are extremely rare, making the fact that they survived for centuries all the more noteworthy. They bear unmistakable witness to Rembrandt’s early fascination with street people.
