The Angel Appearing to Joseph in his Dream c. 1650

Rembrandt van Rijn rendered this drawing, *The Angel Appearing to Joseph in his Dream*, using pen and brown ink. Here, the stark contrast between the angel and the sleeping figures emphasizes not just the divine visitation, but also Rembrandt's deep understanding of light as a tangible material. The apparent simplicity of pen and ink belies the complexity of the artist's technique, with rapid, expressive lines giving life to the scene. The materiality of the ink, its flow and absorption into the paper, dictates the texture and depth of the image. The immediacy of the medium suggests a directness and intimacy, as if we're witnessing a fleeting moment captured with skilled improvisation. Rembrandt elevates this modest medium, traditionally associated with sketches and studies, to a powerful narrative tool, underscoring the expressive potential inherent in materials and the skilled hand of the artist.