Studies for the Sick Woman in the ‘Hundred Guilder Print’, Rembrandt van Rijn, c. 1648
pen and brown ink, with brown wash and opaque white; framing line in brown ink, h 101mm × w 122mm Catalogue entry
While Rembrandt seldom made specific preparatory designs for his etchings, he occasionally tried out new motifs in drawings. Here, he explored various poses for the sick woman lying before Jesus in the ‘Hundred Guilder print.’ The seated woman on the left keeps her hands lowered, while the other, semi-reclining woman raises one hand to attract Jesus’ attention. In the print, Rembrandt went for a greater dramatic effect, portraying her with barely enough strength to lift her arm.
