Landscape with an Obelisk by Rembrandt van Rijn

Landscape with an Obelisk c. 1650

print, etching, drypoint

amateur sketch

light pencil work

quirky sketch

print

etching

pencil sketch

sketch book

incomplete sketchy

personal sketchbook

pen-ink sketch

drypoint

fantasy sketch

watercolor

Rembrandt van Rijn's etching "Landscape with an Obelisk" (c. 1650) depicts a rural scene with a prominent obelisk, likely a Dutch windmill, in the foreground. The composition is dominated by the structure, which is set against a backdrop of thatched houses and a distant horizon. The artist's signature use of dark and light contrasts and loose, expressive lines create a sense of depth and atmosphere. This etching exemplifies Rembrandt's mastery of the medium and his fascination with Dutch landscapes.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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In 1624 the city of Amsterdam erected the obelisk pictured here to mark its expanded boundary along the Spaardammerdijk River toward the town of Haarlem. Rembrandt romanticized the view of the relatively barren landscape, adding features and making the obelisk appear considerably larger than it actually was. Look closely to see that he initially drew it with an orb on top, just reaching the top of the image. Giving the etching needle greater dimension, he more firmly anchored the entire image. To the right is a farmhouse. The big peaked, thatched roof covers the animal barn, and the gabled section is the farmer's residence. The two structures were contiguous in order to preserve precious warmth during the cold, damp Dutch winters. Rembrandt shows it is time to prepare for another winter, for the roof of the hayrick-just behind the marker-is lowered, indicating the hay has been used up. A tiny figure in the distance carries a scythe for cutting hay to refill the rick.