Reclining Lion c. 1660

Rembrandt van Rijn made this drawing of a reclining lion, using pen and brush with brown ink on paper. The immediacy of the sketch is remarkable, but that quality really depended on Rembrandt’s deep understanding of his materials. The relative cheapness and portability of paper allowed him to capture fleeting impressions. It is important to remember that in the 17th century, paper was made by hand, a labour-intensive process using water-powered mills. The iron gall ink was also a product of human labour. The ink would bite into the surface of the paper, while the brush allowed him to build up tonal variations. Rembrandt wasn't merely representing a lion; he was also enacting a process, using craft to seize the animal's essential character. The lion becomes more than just a regal beast; it is a testament to the power of observation, and the skill of the artist's hand. This blurring of boundaries—between the act of depiction, the material used, and the subject at hand—is really the key to Rembrandt's enduring appeal.