The Strolling Musicians

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn - The Strolling Musicians
Early in his printmaking career - between 1628 and 1630 - Rembrandt made many etchings depicting figures of beggars, vagabonds and itinerant musicians. Initially, the composition and style of the images betrayed a strong inspiration by Callot’s series titled Beggars of 1622. Later on, Rembrandt’s distinctive artistic language prevailed, featuring his characteristic ease of drawing, spontaneous draughtsmanship and economically rendered expressions. Compared to other etchers, Rembrandt demonstrated a much more lenient approach to the low-life types portrayed.
date:
measurements: height 138 mm
width 116 mm
in collections:
material: paper
technique: etching (state II)
inscription:
inventory number: R 143720
gallery collection: Collection of Prints and Drawings