Study for a Pieta 1606 - 1669

Rembrandt van Rijn made this study for a Pieta using pen and brown ink on paper. The drawing’s immediacy comes from its directness: we see the artist thinking through the composition, adjusting the figures’ poses with quick, sure strokes. Consider the labor involved. The cost of paper and ink in the 17th century, while not exorbitant, was still a factor. This wasn’t a casual doodle, but a serious preliminary investigation. The thinness of the lines allows for a remarkable sense of transparency, as forms overlap and suggest depth. It is quite a feat to convey so much with so little material. Ultimately, looking closely at the materiality of this drawing helps us to appreciate not only Rembrandt’s skill, but also the value placed on artistic labor in his time. It reminds us that even the most fleeting sketch carries the weight of intention and effort.