Ein Mann schreitet eine Treppe hinauf 

Curator: This intriguing drawing is called "Ein Mann schreitet eine Treppe hinauf," or "A Man Walking Up Stairs," rendered in charcoal and pencil on paper. Though we lack a precise date, it is by the hand of Rembrandt van Rijn. Editor: It feels like a fleeting observation, almost theatrical. The upward angle creates this sense of rising, yet his gaze is distant, somewhere beyond our view. I feel both tension and a certain hope in this single figure study. Curator: That tension, I believe, emerges from the Baroque aesthetic sensibilities, its dynamic energy conveyed so deftly through shadow and light. This wasn't a study of a specific person but more an exercise. Perhaps preparing for a painting. Editor: There is a certain deliberate choice, too, of depicting his tunic fringed, with detailed sleeves. Notice, however, the one bare, bent knee—emphasizing his movement upwards? Symbolically, it elevates the ordinary to a figure of ascent. Staircases in art, of course, resonate with journeys of all kinds. Curator: Indeed. And Rembrandt consistently found ways of imbuing everyday figures with meaning. What seems like a quick sketch likely served a greater purpose, whether realised later or not. Editor: To me, the slight blurring and lack of hard lines intensify this. This isn’t just about a man; it speaks to striving and possibly discovery. I cannot help but notice the slightly open upturned hands. The offering? Perhaps the reception? Curator: It's this constant reimagining that sets Rembrandt apart. We remember that his influence on fellow Dutch Golden Age painters cannot be understated. But so too are the many institutions that, since Rembrandt’s passing, would champion him. Editor: Absolutely, the lack of setting allows for that expansive possibility and invitation. From one deceptively simple form arises the feeling of progress, contemplation, aspiration… It makes you wonder where exactly he is going and to which station. Curator: In retrospect, our seeing the staircase so scant and rudimentary throws further attention back to his humanity. Editor: Yes, a reminder of humanity in art. I now have that bit clearer in mind. Curator: A reminder I will be happy to share in our presentation as well. Thank you.